Robert George Rachel

Robert "Bob" Rachel, 88, returned to the Lord on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 after a brief illness.

Robert was born in Akron on December 27, 1937 to the late Steve and Matilda Rachel and was a lifelong area resident. He had a 38-year career with Goodyear, starting as an apprentice electrician and retiring as Plant Engineering Manager for the Greensburg Airsprings plant. Robert was a member of St. John the Baptist and St. Paul Catholic churches, serving as a lector, eucharistic minister, and member of Parish Council, and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. A jack-of-all-trades, Robert kept busy with his many hobbies and home improvement projects over the years. He was known for his quick wit and great sense of humor, and as a dependable friend ready to help anyone who needed him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Rose Marie; brother Ron (Judy); son-in-law Scott Powell; grandchildren Sarah (Dan Lenart) & Nicholas (Marissa Hadney) Powell; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his daughter Michele Powell and siblings Steven, Al (Rosemary), Wanda (Junie) Triche, Jimmy (Betty Lou), and Ilene (Ray) Thompson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 12, 2026 at 11AM at St. Paul Parish, 1580 Brown Street in Akron, where the family will received friends for 1 hour prior, beginning at 10AM. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to One of a Kind Pet Rescue (https://www.oneofakindpets.com/).