Born June 30, 1933 in Reed, Kentucky, he graduated from Reitz Memorial High School where he was a standout on the football team. Bob served with distinction in the US Navy as an Avionics Specialist aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph. Later graduating from the University of Evansville with a degree in Business Administration, he spent his entire professional career with O’Neill Steel (formerly Orr Iron Company) where he served as General Manager for steel service centers in Lexington, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana.
Bob was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America as well as a founder of the Evansville Junior Football League. His hobbies included woodworking, snowmobiling, tending his yards, and flying. He delighted in taking family and friends on excursions in his Cessna aircraft.
During retirement Bob spent the winter months at his home near Canaveral Seashore in Florida where he had several acres of property which he enjoyed landscaping and maintaining. Summer months were spent at his Evansville home near his family.
Robert Claycomb was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Ann Louise Wyber Claycomb; his mother, Mary Virginia Rheinhardt, and his father, Clarence Edwin Rheinhardt.
He is survived by his sons, Robert Jr. (Katherine) of Frisco, Texas and Joel (Kelly) of Evansville, Indiana; three grandchildren, Dianne Hermes of Austin, Texas, Matthew Claycomb of Dallas Texas, and John Claycomb of Evansville, Indiana.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Bob’s honor at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Leroy’s Tavern on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Evansville. Friends, family, and neighbors are all invited to attend. A Graveside Service will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery Mausoleum on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tri-State Sled Dogs Hockey team for the disabled at 8201 Lake Terrace Drive, Evansville, Indiana 47715.
