Bobby Gene Arrowsmith, 86, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2023, in Lexington, SC with his wife and children by his side.
Bob was born in Ft. Wayne, IN on June 19, 1937 to Herschel and Ethel Arrowsmith and grew up in Mishawaka, IN. He joined the United States Navy in June 1957 and served for two years in the North Atlantic. He then used the GI Bill to complete his BA in History and Masters in College Student Personnel Administration at Indiana University in Bloomington before working for three years at Ripon College in WI. Bob then returned to IU to earn his doctorate in Higher Education.
In 1972, Bob joined the Division of Student Affairs at Bowling Green State University (OH). He spent most of his career at BGSU in the leadership role of Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, retiring in 1993 as Interim Vice President. Outside of work, Bob enjoyed coaching his son’s little league baseball teams, gardening, and refinishing antiques.
After retirement, Bob relocated to Lexington, SC where he had a small antique business and served as a domestic engineer while his wife often traveled for work.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Herschel Arrowsmith, Jr.
Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years Kathy, and their two children, Nathan Robert Arrowsmith (Amanda) of Longwood, FL and Jane Crawford Bouknight (Tyson) of Lexington, SC; grandchildren Nicholas, Nolan, and Anniston Arrowsmith & Keldric, Kelsey, and Kaden Bouknight; brother Bill Arrowsmith of South Bend, IN; sister-in-law Ruth Carol Arrowsmith of Churubusco, IN; six nieces and nephews and their families in IN and many other extended family who loved him dearly.
Bob wished to have small family gatherings to honor his memory and celebrate his life. The family asks that memorials may be made to Bowling Green Youth Baseball (OH), Mission Lexington (SC), or Samaritan’s Purse (Boone, NC).
