Robert Gillis Wagner

Robert Gillis Wagner II, 65, of Kent, died Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Akron General Hospital.

He was born September 10, 1947 in Hubbard. Bob grew up as the older brother of many siblings. He was the entertainer. He would pullout the pots and pans early on, and bang on them. He sang too. His sister Penny is born next, she and Bob use to harmonized together so they put together a duet called "US Kids." Time went on and a couple more kids from the neighborhood joined the group. By this time, Bob moved passed playing on trash cans as drums; and he takes it up a level. By the age of 14, they have a real band, Stardom, now: a drummer, two guitars, and a singer. They had a real gig at Adora Park as the opening act. Great reviews. From there, Bob started to realize how much being a drummer had meant to him. With lots of practice and long and loud nights in the garages and basements, he became one of the best drummers in Portage County. The more people that heard their band, the more gigs they would get. Bands started to become more and more in demand; and being a good drummer was in even higher demand. Bob played with Joe Walsh as a kid in the backyard! That was the band to play with. They played together for a while then moved to different groups and formed different bands. Bob still filled in for Joe in later years with the Measles. But locally Bob played in bands like the Six Pack, Tennessee Gambler, Southern Charms, Night Falls, and others.

Bob loved people, and he loved to entertain. He loved to crack a joke and put a smile on everyone's face. Playing drums was a way for him to give something to his friends, family and followers. He would get his cue to play "Wipe Out" and he would nail it every time. He went on with his bands to be the opening acts for many professional artists. Later in life, Bob picked up other interests and one was always to "pay it forward."

Somewhere along our brother's journey, he became a really great listener; caring about what other people had to say and what they were feeling. He worked at our local college at a restaurant and at various jobs at local nursing homes. Nothing was more rewarding to him then to see those in need of something and he would try to find a way to help get it for them. He could meet someone for the first time and they became his friend. If you needed anything, if he had the means, he would help. Bob had a way about him, he SENSED THINGS…the second time he would meet or see you, he would have a bag in his hand for you or for someone you may have mentioned in your conversation, during the first time you met. It was usually a simple talk about how cold it was. He would notice you or your child had no coat on. The talk might have been in a joke form, food on the table or coat on my back, Bob would take it seriously and he'd make sure you had a coat and food. If you needed a coat and he only had the coat on his back, he would take it off and give it to you. Bob shared with me before his passing that in his time at Kent State University, he purchased over 100 coats for needy families.

He is survived by his son, Robert of Brady Lake; grandchildren, Alexis, Tre', Brandon, and Devon; siblings, Jack (Cindy) Rhodes of Girard, Wes (Diana) Rhodes of Kent, Robert (Chris) Owens of Ravenna, Tim (Stephanie) Rhodes of Rootstown, Mike (Cassie) Rhodes of Kent, Penny Wagner-Roseling of Akron, Wilma (Jim) Bobek of Kent, Debbie (Ken) Keele of Kent, Melissa (Jim) Zdanczewski of Windham, and Sandy Gauding of Ravenna; sister-in-law, Helen Rhodes of Kent; and step-mother, Mary Rhodes of Ravenna. He is also survived by truly good friends, Dan and Linda Wise, John Walkins, Roger Hardin, Joe Pinter, and his neighbors of many years, Linda Huston and Roberta Stanley. He was preceded in death by his mother, Della Rhodes, fathers, Robert Wagner and Bill Rhodes; brothers, Edwin Rhodes and Andy Rhodes; and sister, LaDonna Oxley.

Services will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent Sunday, 3:30 P.M. October 14th with Pastor Dan Alexoff officiating. Please follow the Coke signs to the Rock in the back of the cemetery. We invite friends and family, immediately following the services, to The Great Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 South Water Street, Kent to celebrate and share memories of Bob's journey. Remembering him as a giver, in lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate a coat at the door of the Hall where a box will be provided.