STRIPE, Robert G. “Bob” Stripe, 80, of Van Wert, died at 12:43 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born October 14, 1927, in Van Wert, the son of the late Emmett and Ethel (Houston) Stripe. He married Joan (Mohr) Stripe, who survives in Van Wert.

Mr. Stripe had been a real estate appraiser since 1955 and was a senior real estate appraiser. He had held a real estate license since the age of 21 and was owner-operator of Stripe Realty Appraisal Company in Van Wert as well as president and CFO of First Family Broadcasting, Inc., owner of WERT-AM and WKSD-FM in Van Wert and Paulding, Ohio.  He attended First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Mediterranean Sea and was a member of all bodies of the Van Wert Masonic Lodge; Scottish Rite, Toledo Consistory; National American Legion; and American Appraisal Institute. He was an avid hunter.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three children, James (Suzette) Stripe and Deborah (Richard) Ford, both of Van Wert, and Michael Stripe of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Virginia Stevens of Hondo, Texas; seven grandchildren, Sonia Stripe, Chelsea Stripe, Abigail Stancik, Elizabeth Stripe, Ian Rainey, Rian Rainey and Taylor Ford; and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Stancik.

A brother, Richard Stripe, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 2, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Mohr Cemetery in rural Van Wert County.

Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 1, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Thomas Edison Center in Van Wert, First United Methodist Church, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio or the Children’s Garden in Smiley Park.

USS Rich Association Director Jerry Dunnigan and wife Deb will represent the Association at the services.