Robert Rutherford

Robert Rutherford, age 65 of Hamilton passed surrounded by his family at Hospice of Hamilton on Thursday, November 15, 2012. He was born in Wartburg, Tennessee on April 24, 1947 the son of Edward and Ruth (Perdue) Rutherford. Robert came to Ohio as a young child with his parents and grew up in the Seven Mile and New Miami area, graduating from New Miami High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving one year in Vietnam. Robert was proud to be an American, and was a member of the American Legion and a supporter of the Disabled American Veterans. He was employed at AK Steel for 37 years where he was known as "Big Bob", retiring in 2006. Robert was a friend to everyone and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 44 years, Ruth Ann (Fugate) Rutherford of Hamilton;; two daughters, Regina (Don) Saurber and Angela Vanatta, both of Hamilton; five dearly loved grandchildren, Allison Saurber, Robert and Ryan Combs, Caleb Vanatta, and little Christian, who was born on November 12, 2012; a brother, Ronny Rutherford of Tennessee; three sisters, Rachel (Kenneth) Harrison of Middletown, Rita (Eugene) Huesing of Hamilton, and Rhonda Estep of Mason; a special nephew, Kenneth Harrison Jr. of Middletown; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother in law Gary Estep and nephew Edward Estep.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Keith Risner of Edgewood Baptist Church and Rev. Wayne Pendleton officiating. Burial will follow in Millville Cemetery . Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, November 18, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.