John (Bob) Robert Douglas

John Robert (Bob) Douglas, 77, of Southbury, CT, beloved husband, father and grandfather, entered into Heaven Wednesday, June 10, 2020. He was the precious husband of Sandy Douglas, and a devoted dad, committed to loving, guiding, and supporting every need of those he loved, a true family man.

Bob was born on January 18,1943 in East Chicago, Indiana, the son of John Earl and Esther Douglas.  He grew up in Calumet City, a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Bob graduated from Southern Illinois University where he met his one and only true love, Sandy during his senior year and married after graduation. He spent most of his career in Human Resources guiding and caring for the Uniroyal Inc./Chemical family he loved, beginning in Joliet Illinois, then transferring to Painesville, Ohio, and moving to Southbury in 1978 for a new position with Uniroyal in Naugatuck and then Middlebury before starting his own independent Management Consulting business.

As a Human Resources manager he always asked first about the needs of others and then asked how he could help, which included being an integral part of his work family’s road to life improvements whether it was related to their health, their relationships at work and home or in a few cases their sobriety by loving them, providing counsel and by being available to them 24/7. Bob would want to be remembered for his dedication and faithfulness first and foremost to his family, and to his friends, his coworkers, his community, his church and everyone who ever met him. The sparkle in his eyes, his warm smile and infectious laugh were loved by all who knew him, though they may not have realized that it was rooted in his love for his Lord and Savior.

Bob was a coach, leader, counselor and stand-in parent for many as he had an easy, respectful and welcoming way with kids. He coached soccer, little league, softball and was Southbury Little League Commissioner for many years, becoming a cherished presence at Ewald Park. He was more than a coach; he was a father figure, always there asking everyone what they needed. He taught Jr. High Sunday school, in his wisdom guiding many lives. For over twenty years, as a committee member, then as Chairman he was a dedicated committed force behind the Young Life Southbury-Middlebury organization.

In addition to his wife, Sandy, Bob’s memory will be cherished by his daughter, Kristie Douglas and granddaughter Lexi, his daughter, Jodi Douglas her husband Mike Lynch and step grandsons Kevin and Bradley, his son Bob Douglas and wife Loretta Douglas and grandsons Aidan and Colin, his sister Bette Douglas, brother Bill Douglas and wife Linda, and his brother-in-law Larry Zimmerman and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Jack and Esther, his precious sister Mollie Koshut and her husband Joe, and his mother- and father-in-law, Marianne and Andy Zimmerman.

The family is very grateful to the healthcare providers and staff at Masonicare of Newtown, now Newtown Rehabilitation and Healthcare, for their care and support.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Southbury Food Bank at southburyfoodbank.org or Samaritan’s Purse at samaritanspurse.org both supporting the needs of communities during the current health crisis.  

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangement. To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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