Robert John Ossian

Robert J. Ossian of Dunedin, Florida passed away suddenly of natural causes on December 12. 2023.

Robert (or Bob as most people knew him) was born in Shelby, Nebraska on November 17, 1935 to his loving parents, William Nathaniel Ossian and Margaret Ossian. Bob’s sister, Mary (Married name, Redington) was born five (5) years later. When Bob was about 5 ½ years old he and his family moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, which is a small town in southwest Iowa about sixty miles east of Omaha, Nebraska. Bob grew up in Shenandoah and attended High School at Shenandoah High School (the Mustangs) where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Growing up in Shenandoah, Bob was close friends of Don and Phil Everly, otherwise known as the Everly Brothers.

After high school, Bob attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where he played on the football team, and majored in Chemistry. Bob left college early to join the Marine Corps in March 1957. Bob completed his Marine Corps basic training in San Diego, and he always referred to himself as a “California Marine”. When it came to the Marine Corps, he was never shy about boasting that the Marines were the toughest of any of the other three military branches.

Bob’s service in the Marine Corps led him to the Pensacola Naval Air Station for flight training, which is where he met the love of his life, Suzanne Marriott. Bob and Suzanne were married in June 1959 and remained married until Suzanne’s passing in February 2014, a marriage that lasted just short of 55 years.

After Bob and Suzanne got married, they settled in Dunedin, Florida where they lived together for the entirety of their marriage. Bob and Suzanne raised three (3) children, Mark Andrew Ossian, Anne Marie Ossian (Melton) and Susan Marriott Erickson. Suddenly and tragically in February 2013, Anne Marie passed away from natural causes.

Bob spent most of his adult working life in the United States Postal Service, serving as a Superintendent of Postal Operations. Bob worked for USPS for over 37 years by the time of his retirement at age 65.

Bob is survived by his Son, Mark Andrew Ossian (and his wife, Judy Ossian), his daughter, Susan Ossian Erickson (and her Husband, James Erickson), beloved Son-in-Law, Paul Melton, grandchildren: Mark A. Ossian, Jr., John C. Ossian, Zachary Thornberry, Austin Erickson, Grayson Melton, Colin Melton, Hunter Erickson and many beloved nieces and nephews. If you noticed the trend here, all of Bob’s grandchildren are grandsons.

At the time of his passing, Bob was also survived by two great grandchildren, Mark A. Ossian, III and Lucas Anthony Ossian (Son’s of Mark A. Ossian, Jr. and his Wife, Lisa Marie Ossian). Continuing with the trend, both of Bob’s Great Grandchildren are also boys.

Bob was a long time and active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dunedin, Florida. He was a faithful, regular, weekly attendee for many years. He was a creature of habit and always sat in the next to last row of pews next to the windows. Bob served his Church in numerous leadership roles and was a Church Elder for many years.

Bob was well loved by his family and well liked by all of his friends, colleagues, and neighbors. He will be dearly missed by all.

A Memorial Service for Bob will take place on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at the Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home located in Clearwater, Florida. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. The Interment will be at the Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park on Sunset Point Road in Clearwater, Florida.