Robert “Bob” Francis Coyne, age 98, born in Newark, Ohio, on July 31, 1926, to the late James C. Coyne Sr. and Sylvia Coyne.
He attended Newark schools and was drafted out of his senior year at Newark High School into the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theater from September 1944 to July 1946. He was among the American soldiers who helped liberate a Nazi work camp during World War II. An experience that led to his being invited to speak at Holocaust remembrance events at the Ohio State House and school programs for many years. Upon returning home, he worked at a car dealership and a drug company before attending The Ohio State University for a year and a half.
Throughout his life and career, Bob was supported and encouraged by his devoted wife, Alice, who stood by him through every chapter. Together, they built a life rooted in hard work and shared dreams.
Bob began his professional career at The Newark Advocate in the commercial printing department. He later attended the Typographical Union School in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he learned prepress procedures during the early development of offset printing. He also completed coursework at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and management classes at Wayne State University in Detroit.
When Spencer-Walker Press opened a division in Newark, Bob became its general manager. He later joined National Graphics in Columbus as an account manager. During this time, he began searching for a printing business to call his own. After exploring several opportunities throughout Ohio, he and Alice purchased an established operation in Mount Vernon.
In 1980, Bob acquired Merchandising, Inc. of Heath, merged it with Coyne Printing, and opened a new office and production plant in Newark. As business expanded in Mount Vernon, operations were consolidated there, with only a sales office remaining in Newark. In 1990, his son Kevin purchased the company and grew it into a specialized graphic finishing business.
Bob was a retired board member of Medical Benefits Insurance Company and Goodwill Industries, a former member of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club, and a past president of the Columbus Club of Printing House Craftsmen—where he was named Craftsman of the Year in 2000. He was a recipient of the Ben Franklin Award, a longtime member of UCT, and an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Licking County Flyfishers Club, and the Newark Menarche. He also gave his time as a volunteer at The Works Ohio Center.
Bob and Alice shared a love of travel, especially with Park National Bank’s Freedom Years program. An avid fisherman, Bob tied his own flies, and together they journeyed to Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Austria, Switzerland, and many places across the United States.
Alice married Robert F. Coyne on April 21, 1951. Together they had three children, Kevin (Angela) Coyne of Mt. Vernon, Kelly Coyne of Florida, and Kara (Robert) Mettille of Newark; grandchildren, Allison (Jamie) Frazee of Mt. Vernon, Amanda (Todd) Wells of Mt. Vernon, Abigail Coyne of Mt. Vernon; Alexander (Drew) Mettille of Newark, and Emily (Joel) Decker of Newark; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Penelope and Theo Wells of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and Mina Decker of Newark.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Coyne; two brothers, James Jr., and Edwin; and son-in-law, David Gels. A private burial will take place at a later date in Newark Memorial Gardens.
The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hendersonvanatta.com.
