Robert "Bob" Brems Jr.

Robert “Bob” Brems, Jr. died peacefully on January 15, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 48 after suffering traumatic brain injury as a result of sudden and unexplained cardiac arrest on January 6th.

Bob is survived by his parents, Suzanne (Nixon) and Robert Brems, Sr. of Coshocton, Ohio; wife, Mindy Knouse Brems; children, Emma, Ellie, and John Brems; brother, Bryan Brems and his wife Robyn (Unell) of Van Nuys, California; and special “extra kids,” Kayla Cowden and Byron Brenneman both of Coshocton.

Bob was born on November 2, 1966 in Schenectady, New York, and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, Pennsylvania. Bob graduated from Wittenberg University in 1988 with a BA in Biology and minors in Computer Science and East Asian Studies and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He completed a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at The University of Michigan in 1990. Bob married Mindy, his college sweetheart, on August 13, 1988, in Westerville, Ohio. After graduating from Michigan, Bob and Mindy relocated to Marietta, Georgia, where he worked for Lockheed Martin, followed by Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1999, his family moved to Coshocton, where he worked for Pretty Products, then Franklin County Health Department, the Ohio State Board of Health as Regional Epidemiologist with The Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department, and taught at The Ohio State University Summer Public Health Institute on Global Information Systems. At the time of his passing, Bob worked for Organic Technologies as a Quality Assurance Engineer. He was also Health Commissioner for Coshocton County and Adjunct Professor at Columbus State University.

Bob has been a very active in the local community, volunteering his time as a Boy Scout Troop 406 Treasurer and Financial Peace University Leader. In addition, he served the Coshocton Presbyterian Church in many capacities, including being a member of the Chancel Choir, Deacons, Session, and Board of Trustees. Bob was Vice President of the local Habitat for Humanity Board. He supported many arts organizations, his favorites were the many youth choirs in which his children sing. Bob was passionate about educating and counseling people in the local community about financial literacy, teaching 18 Financial Peace sessions over the last 9 years. Bob was an avid fan of University of Michigan sports, especially Wolverine Basketball and Football.

Calling hours will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm at Given-Dawson Funeral Home on Friday, January 23, 2015. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Presbyterian Church in Coshocton with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contribution to The Coshocton County Health Department Maternal and Child Health Center, Boy Scout Troop 406, Coshocton Habitat for Humanity, Encore Honors Choir, or The Coshocton Presbyterian Church.