Robert A. McNemar, 100, of 130 W. Truesdell St., Wilmington, Ohio died peacefully March 2, 2017 at Ohio Living Cape May. A longtime newspaper writer, photographer and editor, he was editor of the Wilmington News-Journal from 1953 until 1957. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Hunt McNemar, in 2000. They were married in 1941.
On February 19, 2017 Robert celebrated his 100th Birthday. Friends from all corners of his life joined Bob in celebrating his life at a reception at Cape May. His 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren were there to his delight. The love and support for Bob and the remarkable life he lived was evident to all who shared in that special occasion.
He was born in the house at 130 W. Truesdell St. on February 16, 1917 and lived there 75 years of his life. He was the son of Arthur G. McNemar and Marie Osborn McNemar. A 1935 graduate of Wilmington High School, he received a bachelor of science degree from Wilmington College in 1941 where he was a member of Gamma Phi Gamma (Gobbler) social fraternity.
Bob McNemar began his association with the News-Journal in 1928 when he became a substitute carrier. He also served as the “printer’s devil” in the composing room the summer of 1933 and worked in the newspaper office in the evenings during high school. He began writing stories for the News-Journal as a senior in high school and continued in the editorial department through college becoming full time in 1941. He also served as state editor of the Dayton Journal for four months in 1945. After leaving the News-Journal, he was with the Xenia Gazette for 13 years, 10 years with the Advocate-Messenger in Danville, Ky., and his final three years with the Montgomery News in Mt. Sterling, Ky. Bob and Kathryn McNemar returned to their home in Wilmington upon retirement in 1983.
A former member of the Wilmington and Xenia Rotary Clubs, Bob McNemar served as president of the Wilmington Club in 1947-48 and had perfect attendance during his 14-year membership. He received the first Distinguished Service Award given by the Wilmington Jaycees in 1948.
He was a member of the Wilmington Friends Meeting where he served as editor of the church monthly newsletter for 13 years, on various committees including the Ada Chapel Committee, was a member and clerk of the trustees, and served as an usher captain and Monthly Meeting recording clerk. He also was active in Wilmington Yearly Meeting of Friends serving on various committees including the Quaker Knoll Camp Board on three occasions, and as recording clerk of the Yearly Meeting. He also wrote and prepared for printing the Yearly Meeting centennial history book in 1991. He served on several Friends Housing boards, the Mental Health Board, delivered Meals on Wheels for Clinton Memorial Hospital and donated many of the picture negatives from his newspaper work to the Clinton County Historical Society and the Xenia Library.
He is survived by a son, Donald W. (Britta) McNemar of Waltham, MA; grandchildren, Heather (Matt) McNemar of Fairfax, VA, Galen R. (Jayme) Hamann of Providence RI, Cynthia McNemar of New Windsor, MD, and Christina (Jesse) Moats of Union Bridge, MD; a daughter-in-law, Edna (Jim) McNemar of New Windsor, MD; great grandchildren, Eleanor and Gus Habinowski, Jackson, Maya, and Madeleine Hamann, and Auggie Moats; and his AFS Exchange daughter Keiko (Osamu) Hida Mizutani of Tokyo, Japan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald O. McNemar in 1938; two daughters, Sue M. Davis in 1997, and Ann McNemar in 2011, and a son, James H. McNemar, in 2001, and his special friend, Mary Lib Stanfield in 2015.
Since family and friends were just together with him to celebrate Bob’s life at his 100th Birthday, the Memorial Meeting for Bob McNemar will be held on June 17, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Wilmington Friends Meeting. Burial will be private in Sugar Grove Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for all the loving care Bob received from Cape May staff and supporting health care providers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Quaker Knoll Camp. Gifts should be made to Wilmington Yearly Meeting with a note that it is for Quaker Knoll Camp and mailed to Wilmington Yearly Meeting, 1870 Quaker Way, PO Box 1194, Wilmington, OH 45177.
Arrangements are by Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.