John Steiner Roby

Born on August 7, 1942, in Marion, Ohio, to Joe and Grace Steiner Roby, John was a proud graduate of Mansfield Senior High, The Ohio State University, and Case Western Reserve Law School. His illustrious career began as a Special Agent for the FBI stationed in Atlanta and Washington D.C. While working as Special Agent John he played a pivotal role in high-profile cases, including the arrest of John Froines of the Chicago Seven.

Returning to Mansfield in 1972, John joined his father, Joe Roby, in the family business, eventually becoming the CEO of what is now known as Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance. His leadership extended beyond his family business as he served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio and was appointed as Congressman Mike Oxley’s representative to the White House Conference on Small Business.

John was deeply committed to his community, actively participating in the First Congregational Church and serving in a leadership capacity on numerous boards, including Ohio State University (Mansfield), MedCentral Health Systems, The Friendly House, Richland County Chamber of Commerce, Richland Performing Arts, Junior Achievement, Richland County Foundation, Bank One (Mansfield), The Monsignor Dunn Foundation for Education, and the Mayor’s Police Task Force. He was also a cherished member of the Hermits’ Club, Mansfield University Club, Kiwanis, and the 51 Club.

John’s passions were his community, family, and THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite being busy with professional and community commitments, John made time to pursue his passions with his family. A season ticket holder at Ohio State, over the last 50 years, John and his family attended over 400 Ohio State football games, including nearly a dozen bowl games. His enthusiasm for OSU football was only rivaled by his love of spending time with family at “The Farm.” He was particularly fond of sailing and traveling with his wife, Cindy, and fishing with his “boys.” Whether he was with his own father, his sons, or friends, John found much joy fishing in exotic locations, including the Baffin Islands, Panama, Costa Rica, the Northwest Territory, Montana, and many trips to the Florida Keys.

He is survived by his sons John C. Roby (Carolyn), Robert (Shawna), Bruce (Katrina), and Richard (Natalie); and grandchildren Grace (Zack), William, Aedan, Harry, Reagan, Anderson, Marshall, and Miriam. John was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 1:30 PM at the First Congregational Church of Mansfield, 640 Millsboro Rd. Mansfield, OH 44903, with a reception to follow in the Winery at Hudson and Essex in downtown Mansfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The First Congregational Church of Mansfield or The Friendly House, 380 N. Mulberry St. Mansfield, OH 44903.

The family would also like to express our deepest and warmest gratitude to the team who provided him such fantastic care and surrounded him with much love in the last year of his life: Ellen Goldman, Tamara Williamson, Jean Darr, Shawna LaRue, Robin Wiggin, Elizabeth “Boo” Stevens, Heidi Schroeder, Shenell Jordan and the entire staff at Primrose.

Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield is honored to serve the Roby family.