Robert E. Trumbull

Robert E. Trumbull (Rob), beloved brother, friend, compatriot, and mentor, departed us on Monday December 12, 2022 after an unexpected brief illness. Despite his shy nature, Rob is remembered by his friends and family as always being welcoming and encouraging to all around him. He was a musician and lifelong scholar of history, enjoying research into all time periods, but particularly the US. War of 1812, World War II, and US Naval history. Playing in various bands and fife and drum corps, or having the opportunity to visit various museums, archives and collections to ferret out interesting details were passions that enriched his lifelong involvement in music and living history.

Rob was involved in reenacting from his late teenage years, attending the bicentennial of the surrender at Yorktown, to several War of 1812 bicentennial events, and more recent commemorations connected to WWII. He was influential in starting and growing several reenactment events across the Midwest and encouraging and supporting the development of several U.S. units. He loved artillery and military music, and relished the opportunity to discuss arms, tactics and the development of military innovations in the 19th and 20th centuries. His research and mentoring will live on through the countless individuals he encouraged and helped in the hobby.

His friends and family remember him as a scholar, musician, friend and mentor. He was always happy to help or show a friend (or soon to be friend) how to do something. Rob welcomed everyone to his fire or camp and was friendly, supportive, funny, kind and smart. Others describe him as a gentle giant, an inspiration and a role model.

Rob will be greatly missed — his contributions to interesting and lively conversations and debates, great traveling adventures, collection of niche skills and warm inviting nature will remain in our hearts and thoughts. He leaves behind friends and family with decades of good memories. There are so many adventures and stories, moments that stand out, that its impossible to include them all but, suffice it to say, his absence is keenly felt and Rob will remain in our hearts till the end of our days.

Rob was a graduate of Springfield High School and the University of Toledo. Most recently, he had worked for several years for Sherwin Williams. He was a 40+ year volunteer at Fort Meigs State Memorial and a 9 year volunteer at the Springfield Township #2 fire station.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Arlene Trumbull and his sister Ellen Trumbull. Rob is survived by his sisters, Patricia Shiple and Paula Trombley, his brother Donald Trumbull, his spouse, Betsy Bashore, and 11 nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. He will be greeted in heaven by his family, several close friends and dozens of cats and dogs who were his companions throughout life. And hopefully the angels have left him a lot of room for his drum set, because he’ll be anxious to get back to jamming and singing.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Rob, please consider Fort Meigs Historic Site 29100 W River Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551.