R. Robert Kimes

A celebration of Rev. Kimes' earthly life will take place October 16, 2022, 2:00pm at Kimes’ Chapel, Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, 2225 Taylor Park Dr., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Please join us for a reception of remembrance and joy following the service.

Sign in and masks will be required to enter Wesley Ridge Retirement Community. You may sign in at the main entrance or Chapel entrance.”

R. Robert Kimes died August 11, 2022 at his residence, Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, at the age of 93. Born August 10, 1929 in Columbus, OH, he grew up on the Hilltop where one set of grandparents owned a grocery store and another grandfather was a carpenter, building many Hilltop homes. His deceased parents were Ralph W. And Goldie Six Kimes and his deceased younger sister was Nancy Kimes. Bob attended Broad St. Elementary School and West High School where he was a band member and thespian. He and his family were very active in the Glenwood Methodist Church, which had its beginnings in his grandparents’ Six’s living room. Bob began working at nine years old when he and a cousin operated a deli stand next to The Kimes’ Bros. Meats on North Market. The cousins worked every Saturday and summers. Bob met his wife to be, Bettirae Beard (Kimes), in eighth grade, when they played Mary and Joseph in a church play. After attending Ohio Wesleyan University and graduating from Ohio State University, he and Bettirae married in June of 1951, left Columbus and went to Summit, N.J., where Bob attended Drew University Theological Seminary and served at Summit Methodist Church. Over the course of his career, after returning to Ohio, Bob and Bettirae served United Methodist churches at Cridersville, Shawnee (Lima), Forest Park (Cincinnati), Trinity (Marble Cliff), Bexley, First Church (Lancaster), and Wesley Ridge Retirement Community (Reynoldsburg). He also held the position of District Superintendent for the Cincinnati and Dayton areas, and served as a member of the Bishop’s Cabinet. Together he and Bettirae shared their many talents and creativity with countless people across the West Ohio Conference and United States. They traveled extensively and enjoyed the beauty of the world around them. They especially valued their home and time spent at Hide-A-Way Hills in Lancaster, OH among the trees, birds and nature.

Completing Bob’s family were the three children he and Bettirae shared, Rebecca Rust (Dr. Steven), Timothy Kimes (Diane), and Sara Tidwell. Bob has five grandchildren, Dr. Timothy Rust (Dr. Laura), Joseph Rust (Emily), Jacob Tidwell (Allie), Kiva Tidwell, and Alexander Kimes. His great grandchildren held special places in his heart, Weston, Rose, Hazelle, and Remington Rust. Bob’s three nephews, sons’ of Dr. Robert and Lavonne Beard Holladay were like sons to him, Scott (Diane Thomas), Larry (Lori, deceased), and Dr. Bruce (Dawn) Holladay. Much love and appreciation are extended to the many staff members and community of Wesley Ridge and Wesley Hospice who so lovingly attended to Bob and Bettirae in their last years.

A celebration of R. Robert Kimes’ earthly life will take place October 16, 2022, 2:00pm at Kimes’ Chapel, Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, 2225 Taylor Park Dr., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Rev. Jay Rundell, President of MTSO will be officiating. Please join us for a reception of remembrance and joy following the service.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Bob’s life, we ask that donations be made in his name to Wesley Communities or Bay View Association (Michigan), organizations Bob served and supported throughout his life