Robert (Bob) Lynn Medley Sr.
Bob passed away December 23, 2016, after a brief battle with small cell lung cancer. He died at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Read his obituary.
A viewing was held from 8am-4pm on Wednesday, December 28, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home. 14624 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73134
A memorial service was held at 10:00 am on Friday, December 30, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City
Tribute from PDG Bill Bowden:
“Bob Medley reached the highest level of Service above Self and to Rotary for what he has contributed to Rotary Club 29 and to Rotary International. He put the word International within Club 29 as he initiated and accomplished projects in Eastern Europe and in Central America. A shining example for all of us.”
Tribute message from Tim Strange, Mary Jane Calvey, and Inese of the Riga, Latvia Club
“Bob had a dream that Club 29 would have the largest number of Paul Harris Society members in the world (befitting the largest Rotary club in the world) and that the number would grow to 100 by 2017, the centennial year for the Rotary International FOundation. For those of you who don’t know, the Paul Harris Society (named after the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris) is made up of Rotarians who pledge $1000 per year to the Rotary International Foundation in perpetuity and a portion of those funds come back to our district fro the kinds of international projects that Bob was involved with. Bob’s goal of the largest number of PHS members was met, unfortunately though, the goal of 100 PHS members from Club 29 by 2017 was not realized in his lifetime.
But on this day when we celebrate Bob’s life and the impact he had on Club 29 and the world, I can think of no better tribute than to report that as of this morning Bob’s dream of 100 PHS members from Club 29 has been fulfilled.
Bob we will miss you, but we will never forget you and the way you have changed people’s lives for the better forever, not only now but for generations to come. You truly were a Gift to the Worldd and you have left the world a much better place by your tireless and unceasing service above self. What better can be said of a woman or man… than that.
RI President Ravi Ravindran’s theme for 15-16 was “Be a Gift to the world.” Nobdy embodied this spirt of giving to WOrld more than Bob Medley. By my count he initiated 47 International projects on behalf of Club 29 and District 5750 in 22 different countries, making hundreds of new friends along the way and changing tens of thousands of lives for the better forever and in doing changing his life.
His sidekick on many of the project dedication trips was Mary Jane Calvey. This is a portion of the letter she wrote to Trina and the family upon Bob’s passing.
“To the entire Medley family”
With love and many happy memories, we share in your grief this Blessed Christmas for the passing of your father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
For Bob was truly a friend to so many people, including many he never actually met – although he certainly went out of his way to make friends in many far-flung places.
For Rotary International Service projects, he traveled to Romania, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Macedonia, Panama, Peru Guatemale- where I thought sure we would die in the hairpin turns of mountain roads or avalanches! All along the way, Bob was making friends.
Sometimes we combined friends from many countries to accomplish stretch goals. This fall Bob was putting together projects with new friends, in Spain, Poland and Italy.
Always patient, but patiently persistent, Bob encouraged, pushed, prodded and praised our partners to “submit this form”, raise this money or complete yet another report” And through his leadership so many projects were accomplished and celebrated! We have so many Bob stories they can’t all be conveyed here but the best of all memories is the delight on Bob’s face when meeting new adventures,and new friend with that slow smile and true appreciation for people all over the world. ”
Also this email from Inese of the Riga, Latvia club when she learned of Bob’s passing, send to Mary Jane and Clytie Bunyan
Dear Clytie, Mary Jane:
“When I got this sad news from you both I was sitting late in the night in the candle light I was crying. Because Bob was sent to me from heaven. That was wonder how we got to know each other, did not believe that finally so big things will happen.
I did not have experience to lead so big international GG project, but Bob encouraged me. He taught me, helped me, was so patient, calm, intelligent when again and again answered my hundred questions. I was addicted to get every day emails from him. I was excited and scared to see him first time in Riga. But when I saw his big warm smile and get big hug, I felt like I met my old Friend. And I calmed down because I felt really secure that I would get any trust, protection, help and support from Bob.
He was a real Rotarian, but you know that better than me, with warm heart and empathy to people who suffer and are in needs.
So Bob really was a good Friend to me. I miss him so much, only a month ago we were in touch and he said that he will be soon would be back!
He left us because probably he is needed somewhere else more than here!
Please send my deepest condolences to Bob’s family and Okla. City RC! Bob will stay in our memory forever!
God bless his Soul!!
Inese Priedniece – Riga Latvia Rotary Club
Please view their website
From: “Joe” Hamilton – District 5170 Governor 2012-13
“I wish to provide my condolences to you, your entire clu. Many of us in our California district had the pleasure of working with Bob and traveling with Bob, Mary Jane, Clayton and others from OKC Rotary in Guatemala. Bob was a major influence in Rotary and will be missed worldwide”
Write a tribute to Bob’s life in the comments section below.
Back in 2008, when the stock market went haywire, and it cost me a lot of my retirement fund, I asked Bob what he would suggest. He suggested that I go to a friend at Mass Mutual. I did, he and his wife suggested a stragey and it saved my financial life. I owed that to Bob Medley, a great Rotarian.