Alexander "Bob" Lockhart

Alexander “Bob” Lockhart, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, at home surrounded by family. Born December 10, 1932 in Canal Fulton, Bob was the youngest of seven children born to William and Biene Lockhart. As the son of an Irish immigrant, and a farm boy to boot, Bob developed a head strong personality and shrewd ambition that served him well throughout his life. After graduation from Northwest High School, Bob joined the family business, eventually taking the helm at W.G. Lockhart Construction Company. He settled in the Manchester area, where he would go on to raise a family and live the next 70 years.

Bob was proceeded in death by his parents and siblings, as well as his beloved son, Sam Lockhart. He is survived by loving wife Patty, son Bob (Lori) Lockhart and daughter Jill (Eric) Bear; mother of his children Joyce (Lockhart) Shaw; grandchildren, Ryan (Val) Buckles, Chrissy (Mike) Gashash, Sheena Lockhart, Chad (Jenna) Lockhart, Courtney (Michael) Taggart, Brandey Lockhart, Matt (Kaleigh) Parsons, and Sam (Samantha) Parsons; step-children Jeff (Tanya) Coler, Mandy (Adam) Ledford, Major Bradley Coler and their children, Dillon, Lilly, Jake,  Xander, Jaxon, Ryan and Ava; as well as twelve great-grandchildren and many other extended family members. 

Bob loved life and lived every day on his own terms. Business and family were synonymous, and his favorite place and second home was no doubt his office working alongside his family. Bob’s vocation in life was construction and he was lucky enough to do that work for nearly his entire life. He was proud to be a part of building a lot of the infrastructure in the area, and generally had an interesting anecdote to share about most major byways in Summit County. He poured that passion into public service in his community, serving as a Franklin Twp. Trustee for over 25 years, going on to serve as New Franklin’s first mayor. He donated his time and talents to help build churches, baseball and football fields and much more. For his work, he was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. 

Bob had a quick wit and charming personality. He enjoyed a crowd and stayed busy up until his final weeks - still getting up every day to go into the office. When not working, he loved the company of good friends and family, swimming, traveling, and going to shows and movies. The last year was not his easiest; but he was determined, even in the face of his failing health, to live life upright and with purpose. He read newspapers cover-to-cover, was eager to have a discerning conversation about the latest issues on Fox News, and would take any opportunity to engage with staff in the office about a job going up for bid or how to best plan for an upcoming project.

The family would like to thank Beth Chisnell, his nurse, who is now part of the family, for her genuine compassion and care she extended to Bob over the last seven months.  We would also like to thank Crossroads Hospice for their service and support. Though we are sad to lose the last member of this amazing generation in our Lockhart family, we are thankful to have had 91 great years with him among our ranks. He was always full of ornery jokes and fun stories, but lately he was quoting one from his mother, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.” We will carry this, and much more with us in our hearts, his legacy will live on with us.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 2 pm to 7 pm at House of Eberhardt Funeral Home, 472 W Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. (Rt. 619) Portage Lakes, New Franklin.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Interment will take place at Manchester Cemetery in New Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Bob Lockhart to Manchester Education Foundation, PO Box 277, Clinton, OH 44216 or to the American Cancer Society.

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