Robert Earl Leslie

At the age of 87 and surrounded by his family, Robert “Bob” E. Leslie went home to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 20, 2025. He was born to Earl and Mathilda Leslie (nee Steidle) on November 23, 1937 in Akron, Ohio.

He lived and worked in Akron all his life. He approached every morning in wonderment of what the day would bring and people he would meet. Bob was a gentle giant with a heart to match. He spent each day working, talking and laughing with family and friends. Loved and respected by all who knew him, he had a servant’s heart, strong work ethic, and devotion to his family. He had a deep love for the Lord and attended Faith Family Church in Fairlawn. His kindness, compassion and humor will be missed by his family and many friends.

After graduating from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, he began working full-time for Ohio Edison, first as a brush cutter and then as a Journeyman Lineman until his retirement on July 1, 1996, after 42 years of service. He was proud to have served his community and was available for every storm and power outage call out, helping to quickly restore power to homes and customers. Immediately following his retirement from Ohio Edison, he began working for his brother, James Leslie, at Williams Hardwood Flooring. He worked another 27 years until his retirement in 2023. Known for coming to work every day with a smile and a strong sense of pride in a job well done, while always putting others before himself, he formed lasting bonds with coworkers and customers.

Born during the Great Depression, his formative years helped him develop a sense of compassion and loyalty to people and the need to help others. Serving his coworkers and community, he was a proud union member and held various positions and roles in the Electrical Workers Union, bringing better pay, benefits and working conditions for workers and their families.

He proudly served his country as a U.S. Army Reservist for 18 years and volunteered his time to organizations and church groups handing out food and helping wherever he could. He consistently availed himself to family and friends and whenever someone needed help, he was often the first to volunteer.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carrie (Rollyson); his three children, Dawne Leslie Bowman (Scott); Michael Leslie (Wendy); and Aaron Leslie; 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mathilda; In-laws Hershell Rollyson (Grace); brother, Richard Leslie (Dolores); and sisters, Jeanne Woloch (David) and Kandi Waters; and brother in-law, Gene Rollyson. He is survived by his brother, James (Diane) Leslie; and brothers-in-law, Robert Waters, Lowell Rollyson, and Ernest Rollyson.

The Leslie family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brookdale Memory Care in Montrose, Ohio for the compassion and care they showed Bob over the last year.

Funeral Service 12 P.M. TUESDAY August 26th, 2025 at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333. Interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to Visitation at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel from 4-6:30 P.M. MONDAY August 25th, 2025.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)