Robert Arthur Fox

Robert Arthur Fox, 69, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. Robert had a kind and gentle spirit and was full of love for people, animals, and the environment. He was outgoing and friendly and quick-witted. This allowed him to easily strike up conversations and make meaningful personal connections with a variety of people. Robert was perhaps best known for his generosity of spirit, always ready to lend a hand to anyone or any animal that needed it. He often helped neighbors with various projects and offered his siblings creative, problem-solving advice whenever they requested it. He was also a gifted storyteller with a cheerful personality. Robert was born on April 12, 1956, in San Diego, California. Like his siblings, Robert was a member of San Diego Junior Theatre as a teenager, and like everyone in the Fox family, Robert loved music. He could play several instruments, including the clarinet, organ, guitar, and banjo. He became such a highly skilled banjo player that he earned a music scholarship to the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. At CalArts, Robert met the love of his life, LucyLee Reuther, a theatrical costume designer and mixed media artist, and they married on May 31, 1977. Robert was devoted to LucyLee, and she said he created time and space for her so she could work on art projects. From CalArts, Robert transferred to Ohio State University, from where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre/Design. Also, still passionate about banjo-playing, one of the highlights of Robert's life was playing banjo one time with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. LucyLee said that Robert was a true Buckeye through and through. She said, "I think that he loved it here in Ohio more than I do, and I was born here." For the last few years, Robert worked in the Custom Framing Shop at Hobby Lobby. Previously, he held a variety of jobs suited to his wide range of skills and talents. For example, soon after their time at CalArts, Robert and LucyLee worked at Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. More recently, Robert worked at various stores like Home Depot as a kitchen and bath designer. Robert designed sets and lights for various theatre productions, and some of his favorites were Isaac Bashevis Singer's "Yentl," Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun," Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," and Brandon Thomas' "Charley's Aunt." In the 1990s, Robert branched out and worked at the Columbus Ohio Zoo as a caretaker of elephants, one of his favorite animals. He also helped design zoo exhibits. Robert was talented when working with his hands. As his brother, Steve, said, "He could fix anything." He also used his hands to create art. As a teenager, he made a number of items, like coin purses and handbags, from leather. Robert's sister, Ginger, fondly remembered that in childhood, Robert built a fun playhouse for everyone out of gigantic cardboard boxes. Everyone had a great time exploring and creating adventures in the boxes. Robert's many hobbies included reading, especially mysteries and science fiction. In keeping with the latter, Robert was a fan of "Star Trek" and, with his siblings, enthusiastically followed the Space Race of the 1960s and 1970s. He said former astronaut and U.S. senator from Ohio, John Glenn was one of his heroes. His sister, Geralynn, said that Robert would have enjoyed following the awesome Artemis II mission, and she liked to think that his spirit was there with the astronauts. Robert also enjoyed tennis, serving as a line judge at times for a tennis club in Columbus. He also enjoyed keeping up to date with politics. He and his wife, LucyLee, enjoyed exploring nature together. For example, they kept an eye on a pair of bald eagles in the neighborhood. Robert was also an enthusiastic, self-taught cook. Robert had a great sense of humor and was known for teasing his siblings in a good-natured way. For example, his sister, Ginger, recalled how Robert made up a mnemonic for her initials (GRF). Robert suggested "Greasy Rabbit Fur," and everyone thought that was amusing. Robert was a lifelong learner with an abundance of intellectual curiosity. Son of the late Gerald and Bernita Maud Fox, and Papa to late canine companions, Shadow and Tuffy, and to late feline companion, Mr. Cat, he is survived by his wife of nearly forty-nine years, LucyLee Reuther; a sister, Geralynn Fox of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; a sister and brother-in-law, Ginger Rose Fox and Todd Jeffries of Lomita, California; and a brother, Steven James Fox, of San Diego, California. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sally Reuther, and her husband, David DiQuinzio of Annapolis, Maryland. Robert is also survived by cousins, Joan and Hank Bliss, of Chicago, Illinois, and Kent Paxton of Issaquah, Washington, Connie Fullen of Ohio, and many dear friends. Robert will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. A Celebration of Life and scattering of ashes will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a nature conservation group, animal sanctuary, or regional theatre of the donor's choice. Day Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Robert Fox.

Robert Arthur Fox

April 12, 1956 - April 12, 2026