Robert "Bob" Corwin Cory Jr. of Chillicothe, Ohio passed from this world on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was born in Columbus on November 13, 1953 to Robert Corwin Cory Sr. and the late Mary Lou Lykins Arledge, both originally of Frankfort, Ohio. Bob attended Chillicothe High School and was part of the 1972 graduating class. He spent nearly a decade in his twenties and early thirties with the C&O railroad laying track throughout southeastern Ohio and had a vast store of hilarious railroad stories, often involving pranks he and his coworkers would play on the overbearing foreman. He was later employed for decades by Eddie Bauer's distribution center (under its many names over the years), finally retiring in 2019.

Bob was a phenomenal self-taught musician who primarily played guitar but also picked up dobro in his later years and could carry a tune on nearly any instrument with strings. His finger-picking style was unique, as he used largely only his thumb and forefinger but was as quick as anyone using all their digits. While he often played standard folk songs or hymns, he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of figuring out by ear tricky jazz chords or the "weird chords" used by Joni Mitchell, one of his favorite performers. While Bob's concert attendance waned with age and parental responsibilities, he often recalled seeing Steppenwolf and said their opener was "Terrible. I thought 'This guy isn't going anywhere." It was Bruce Springsteen. He shared his love of music with his three daughters, his grandchildren, and the rest of the community. He played with fellow musicians in the Foothill Folk Society and loved joining "the old guys" in the back room at BBB Music Center on Saturday mornings.

He embodied care in all he did and appreciated it in everything from finely crafted instruments like his precious 1975 Yairi Alvarez with abalone inlays to his Levi 501s to the old blue Lotus he used to drive (and frequently fix) in the early '80s to the everyday miracles of nature. Many evenings, he'd holler "Sunset Alert" throughout the house to beckon his family to gaze skyward. In some ways, it's fitting that he was born in autumn and departed us the day before Fall Equinox: each year, he'd collect the leaves that stood out most to him and display them wherever he could, overtaking mantles, bookshelves, or the top of the TV console. When his children weren't living nearby, he'd mail them these red and yellow treasures to appreciate in their own homes. His love of nature extended to animals as well and he often remembered the names of the neighborhood dogs rather than the names of their owners, instead choosing to refer to his neighboring humans as "Fluffy's owner" or similar monikers.

This sense of care, however, did not extend to food and dining establishments, where instead, his adventurous spirit took over. Those he knew surely recall many road trips dining at backwoods burger joints, unnamed Waffle House imposters that garnished pancakes with yellowed parsley, or anything that could described as a "dive." He's likely the only person in the world who actually ate fruit cake and spumoni ice cream. This enjoyment of "dives" was linked to his dislike for anything pompous, showy, or situations in which anyone was putting on airs. He often used humor to diffuse such scenarios and refused to wear branded t-shirts because "I don't want to be a walking advertisement." His dedication to these and other values guided his everyday actions and spilled over into all other aspects of his life.

To his family, he was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who worked hard to take care of those he loved. He is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 41 years, Margaret "Peggy" (Ries) Cory, daughters Sara Cory (Max Stafford) of Chillicothe, Jessica Cory (John McHone) of North Wilkesboro, NC, and Caroline Cory of Cincinnati as well as grandchildren Sid Cory (Nattalie Blanco), Zoey Jones (Kaden Johnson), and Judah McHone. He is also survived by many beloved siblings: Mary Littler (Kris), Carlene "Teeny" Watson, Cheryl Coey, Bruce (Clara) Cory, and Lisa Perkins as well as his father, Robert Cory Sr. (Carolyn), countless nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Lou Lykins Arledge and an infant brother, William.

A service will be held Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11 AM (family can arrive at 10 for a private viewing) at Lighthouse Baptist Church (341 Clinton Rd., Chillicothe), where Bob long attended, with Senior Pastor Ryan Bevan officiating followed by a family-only burial at Grandview Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, to please donate flowers instead to a long-term care facility of your choice. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the WARE FUNERAL HOME.

You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com