Robert "Bob" Joseph Coughlin

Bob earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University.

He spent 28 years as an officer in the U.S. Army and retired at the rank of Colonel. Notable assignments included Commander of the 82nd Chemical Battalion, Chemistry Instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, and inaugural Commander of Deseret Chemical Depot. He and his family had many adventures as they moved around the world together. Bob and his wife Kathy created a welcoming home for friends, family, and sometimes strangers, no matter where they lived.

After his retirement from the military, Bob worked at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, and eventually retired as Vice President for Systems Analysis and Engineering. Upon his second retirement, Bob took up a variety of volunteer positions delivering meals to seniors and packing food at a local food bank. This pivot was consistent with his quiet commitment to, “do the right thing for the right reason.”

During this time he also had the good fortune to meet and marry Barbara Hoyt-Coughlin. They enjoyed an active life of biking, golfing, dog walking, and splitting time between Ohio and South Carolina.

Bob was an avid New England sports fan, a tough but fair mentor, a dedicated brother, and a loving father, grandfather, and husband. He will be greatly missed by his wife Barbara Hoyt-Coughlin, daughters Karyn Coughlin and Kelli (Brian) Schoen, step-daughters Carrie (Brian) Augustine and Laurie Grant, granddaughters Julia Schoen and Annelise Schoen, bonus grandchildren Alexis Lininger, Alec Lininger, and Eric (Rachel) Augustine (whom he taught all there is to know about New England sports), sister Carol Coughlin, brother John Coughlin, III, and his dog, Champagne.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Kathryn Coughlin, née Irwin of Somerville, Massachusetts.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Our Lady of Victory, 1599 Roxbury Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the People In Need Food Pantry (138 Johnson Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015) or the American Cancer Society (460 West 10th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43210). Please earmark donations to the American Cancer Society for T-PLL research.