Robert W. Farmer Jr.

Robert W. Farmer Jr. of Worthington, Ohio, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, July 11, 2026. He is survived by his children, Terri Farmer and Mark (Jen) Farmer; and extended family members. Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Patricia A. Farmer.

Bob was born in Akron, Ohio to Robert W. Farmer Sr. and Georgina (Harvey). He graduated from Bowling Green State University and earned his degree in education while serving as quarterback for the Falcons. During his college years, he spent one summer working on a highway construction crew in Washington State, helping blast rock with nitroglycerin, and multiple summers as a counselor at Camp Robin Hood in New Hampshire.

After graduating from college, Bob accepted a teaching position in New York City before being drafted into the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he quarterbacked the Army football team, met fellow educator Patricia Burgin, and married her on July 6, 1963, in Dayton, Ohio. Then they packed up the Karmann Ghia and moved to Florida for his first football coaching job at New Port Richey High School while Patricia sold Avon on the beach.

Over four decades, he mentored students as a teacher, driver education instructor, wrestling coach, basketball coach, softball umpire and football coach. They moved back to Ohio for the Head Football Coach job at Blanchester High School. Followed by Dublin High School, where he led the 1972 team to an undefeated season and Metro League Championship and later was inducted into the Dublin Coffman Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1978, he became Head Football Coach at Hilliard High School and guided the Wildcats to the first undefeated 10-0 season in school history and was named both Ohio Capital Conference and District Coach of the Year.

Bob also coached at various Ohio high schools and universities including Westland High School, Otterbein College, Capital University, Grandview Heights High School, Thomas Worthington High School, Fairless High School. He coached American football internationally several seasons, with the Västerås Roedeers team in Sweden.

Inspired by coaches Bear Bryant and Vince Lombardi, Bob found satisfaction in developing confidence, character, discipline, and maturity within his players, his influence reaching far beyond the football field.

Later in life, Bob discovered a passion for building Lego creations. With remarkable patience and creativity, he completed 250+ intricate Lego models, assembled and proudly displayed.

Bob will be remembered for his warm grin, playful nature, quick wit, love of football, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He loved sharing stories, listening to others, and enjoyed coffee and conversation with neighbors and friends. He was always encouraging and became a familiar, beloved presence wherever he went.

Those who knew Bob knew he spent his entire life building. He built football programs, successful teams, lifelong friendships, strong families, and confident young people. In retirement, he simply traded playbooks for Lego bricks—but he never stopped building.

His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the enduring standard he set for all his players and family he loved so much.

A visitation celebrating Bob's life will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, US, on July 18, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.