This is part of the eulogy for Bob Straw given by Jim Walters, PP of York-East Rotary Club.
"I want to begin my remarks by lifting a line that Debbie and Robin included in the obituary printed in the newspaper: 'He was known for his selflessness and willingness to help others in times of need and could be counted on for a good laugh and a smile.'
Bob was a friend. We had several “touch points” in that Bob and Debbie’s daughter Robin and our son Chris were classmates at Central York High School (and a group of 7 or 8 of them still get together several times each year), We once had a Rottweiler, and Bob raised and showed Rottweilers, Bob was a Rotarian and I am a Rotarian, I was the 5th President of our club, Bob was the 6th, at least twice in years past and including this past year, Bob and I spent 2 hours together in early December at the East York Walmart store ringing bells for Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign.
Rotary was important for Bob (and his family), and Bob was an important part of the York-East Rotary Club. In addition to his REGULAR participation in meetings-either in person when he was able, or via zoom, Bob was a leader in our club-regularly offering advice or direction on events or matters of interest. He also embodied his leadership role by accepting responsibility for being “in charge” of our many efforts to serve our community: Bob served on our Board of Directors; he was our Vocational Committee chair; was in charge of our Students of the Month program with the York County School of Technology and the York Suburban High School-and he continued that involvement through being in charge of our RLYA program- sending 2 students each summer to Messiah University for a leadership training experience; Bob headed up our effort at Christmas to provide gifts for the children at York-Day Nursery; he assisted (in person) with our annual golf outing fundraiser; and he was responsible for recruiting and scheduling the bell ringers for Salvation Army. Rotary was important to Bob, and Bob was important to the Rotary Club of York-East... His life was a testament to Rotary’s slogan, “Service above self”. We'll miss him.
As Winnie and I passed along the tables of pictures and memorabilia our hearts were lifted by the pictures of his “antics”, and as we greeted Debbie and Robin and Dan (and family), Winnie commented: 'He was a ‘colorful’ man.' Indeed he was."