Robert J. "Tank" Runyon

Robert J. "Tank" Runyon, 78, of Crestline, passed away after a short illness on Friday, August 2, 2019 at The Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital, Columbus, OH.

Bob was born in Crestline on November 17, 1940 to the late Earl G. Runyon and Elizabeth M. (Oswalt) Runyon-Leaf.

Bob lived in Crestline all his life. He graduated from Crestline High School, Class of 1958. He then obtained his BA attending Kent State University, The Ohio State University and graduating from Ashland College. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Crestline. If you attended the Crestline Exempted City Elementary Schools during the years of 1970 through 1997, your Physical Education, Health, or History teacher was Mr. Robert Runyon. Those high school students that played football for the Bulldogs during those same years, knew Bob as Coach Runyon, Defensive Coordinator. His first year of coaching football started in Galion. He then spent two years coaching football in Norwalk. Finally, he began his football coaching career in Crestline in 1970 and retired from teaching and coaching in 1997. Many players attribute their coaching careers to Bob. Coach Runyon was often referred to as a Master of the 4-4 defense. To express the community’s gratitude for all his hard work, the street that runs behind the old Hutson Stadium was renamed “DiPietro/Runyon Drive”. Bob was an avid fan of The Ohio State University Football program, attending many football games with his family and friends at the “Shoe”. Bob was a 2003 Crestline Hall of Fame inductee and was very proud to be a committee member for the Hudson Scholarship, and the Crestline Athletic Hall of Fame. Bob enjoyed golfing with many friends on many different golf courses. He traveled every year to Arizona and Alabama to meet up with life-long friends and colleagues to play a few rounds of golf.

Bob is survived by his sister-in-law Nancy Runyon, Citrus Springs, FL; his niece Lori (Stephen) Clarke, Citrus Springs, FL; his nephews; Michael (Diana) Runyon, Ocala, FL, Steve (Amy Vidrick) Runyon, Hilliard; Edward (Jessica) Runyon, Ashville,  great-niece, Jazzlynn Runyon, great-nephew, Sullivan Clarke, cousins Rick (Julie) Oswalt, Mansfield;  Sandy Clary, Struthers; Rhonda Simmons, East Palestine; Wendy Heiland, Pittsburgh, PA; his step-brother Donald Leaf, Darlington, PA, and his close friends, John and Barbara DiPietro, Crestline.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Earl Runyon, his mother and stepfather, Elizabeth and William Leaf, and his brother, David Runyon.

Friends may call on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 410 N. Thoman Street, Crestline. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Crestline, Ohio with Pastor Diana Seaman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Those attending are asked to honor Bob by wearing Ohio State Buckeye or Crestline Bulldog attire. Those wearing the “team up north’s” colors will be asked to leave!

Memorial contributions may be made to the Crestline High School Athletic Department in care of the funeral home.

Those wishing to share a memory of Robert or to the Runyon family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of Robert J. Runyon.

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