Robert Howard Rymer

Robert Howard Rymer of Orlando went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2025. He was born January 31, 1931, in Crandall, Georgia. Bob, as he was known by most, never really knew his father as his father, Albert Taylor Rymer, passed away from Meningitis the day after Bob was born. Leaving his mother, Frances McCamy Rymer to raise and care for him and his six older siblings. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Old Fort, Tennessee where he grew up working on the 60-acre farm. Bob graduated from Polk County High School where he was an outstanding math student and basketball player. From there, Bob attended Warren Wilson College as part of their co-op program. He was part of their Campus construction team and played on their collegiate basketball team. From there, he transferred to the University of Tennessee where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. One summer break, Bob lived with his sister’s family in Oak Ridge, and met the love of his life, Anna Ruth Hall, while she was working as the soda fountain girl at Woodland Drugstore. They were married on October 2, 1954, and only two months to the day, Bob had to leave his new wife and report for service to the United States Army in serving our country for the Korean War. During his service, Bob was highly regarded by his superiors and was the top marksman of his platoon. Upon Bob’s completion of duty, he accepted a job with Martin Marrietta, and in early 1957, he and Ruth moved to Orlando, Florida to set their roots and build their family. Bob became the beloved patriarch of our family as he raised Lynn, Steve, and Barry. Bob worked at Martin Marietta for 36 years until his retirement. He always put his family first, having turned down several promotions, because he felt the role or location was not best for his family. Bob was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and invited Jesus into his heart as a young boy to be the Savior and Lord of his life. Bob’s faith was a rock, a solid foundation for his family to establish and grow their own faith in Christ. Bob continued the generational blessing that his parents had passed down to him and having passed to his children, his grandchildren and even now, his great grandchildren. Proverbs 17:6 states it best, “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father”. Bob was often a man of few words, but his actions were very impactful. Acts of love were often shown through repairing anything the family needed repaired, working home improvement projects with Lynn during her spring breaks and teaching his sons how to play golf with countless golf rounds played together over the years are only a few ways he expressed his love. Bob’s greatest love, though, was for Jesus Christ. His faith was often spoken through song. He had a tremendous baritone voice and sang in choir assembles that traveled and ministered throughout the southeast and in the Singing Christmas trees as he faithfully served Christ at First Baptist Church of Orlando. He continually praying for his families’ relationships with Christ, daily studied God’s word in depth throughout his years, faithfully supported and learned under the teachings of pastors such as David Jerimiah and encouraging his grandchildren in their own spiritual growth by giving them study bibles to spur their love for His word. As Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, it seemed to reflect much of Bob’s life, “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Hall Rymer and his brothers Frank and John, and his sisters Sue, Elizabeth, Onie and Mary. He is survived by his daughter F. Lynn Rymer, his sons Steven H. Rymer (Shannon) and Barry H. Rymer (Rhonda), all of Orlando, FL, nine grandchildren including Jessica Lynn of New York City, NY, Meagan Elizabeth Remmington (Remmie) of Orlando, Andrew Taylor (Emily Jane) of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Emily Grace (William) of Phoenix, Joshua Steven (Jaclyn) of Winter Garden, Anna Kalindi of Orlando, Amanda Faith Riley (BJ) of Sumter, South Carolina, Elisabeth Joy (Alex) of Orlando, and Sadie Olivia of Orlando, and seven great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Westminster Winter Park and Vitas for the wonderful and loving care they provided Dad in his final months and weeks with us. The family will have a private celebration service with a few close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to E3 Church – Bob Rymer Memorial Fund.

Robert Howard Rymer

January 31, 1931 - April 21, 2025