Robert "Bob" Clyde Cecire

Robert Clyde Cecire, 83, passed away on March 6, 2024, at the Bridge Hospice Care Center, with his wife by his side. He was born on November 3, 1940 in Stamford, Connecticut to the late Bernard and Elva (Buchanan) Cecire. Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Earl (2005), his sister-in-law, Georgianna (2014), and sister, Dorothy (Dot 2015).

Bob married Sarah M. Hull (June 19, 1971), and she survives. Bob grew up with three brothers, Earl, Bernard, and Richard, and a sister, Dorothy (Dot),

Bob was a scholar with multiple degrees. He received his B.A. from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois (1962) in Biblical Studies; a Bachelor of Divinity from Gordon Seminary, Wenham, MA (1965); a Masters in New Testament from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (1976); and a Ph.D. in Ancient History from the University of Kansas Lawrence, KS (1985). He read widely, and kept up with Biblical studies, history, and current events. He carried his Greek New Testament to church and followed the scripture lesson in Greek.

Bob was ordained by the American Baptist Church. He was a pastor for 25 years, serving American Baptist Churches in Maine, Kansas, and Minnesota. In addition, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Bethel College (St. Paul, MN); Weinbrenner Theological Seminary (Findlay, OH); The University of Findlay (Findlay, OH), and Bluffton University (Bluffton, OH). His students enjoyed his classes, and he was always ready to discuss issues related to coursework. During the summers of 1984-1985, he led an 8-week European Seminar for Gordon College. If a student asked a question about the sites visited, he could “pontificate” for 10 minutes or more. In Findlay, Bob and his wife, Sarah, regularly attended College First Church of God.

Bob loved classical music, his basement was full of LPs of symphonies and operas by famous composers. His ear for music was so good that if he and his wife were driving and listening to NPR playing classical music, he could identify the piece, the movement, the composer, and frequently the conductor and orchestra!                 

Visitation will be held for family and friends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at College First Church of God, 1100 North Main Street, with visitation an hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to College First Church of God, 1100 N. Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840 or to The Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, 3100 West Central Avenue, Suite 150, Toledo, Ohio 43606.  Online condolences may be shared with Bob’s family at kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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