Robert C. Huge

Robert Cole Huge, age 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children in Lewisville, TX on July 22, 2022. Born August 28, 1942 in Cleveland, OH, Bob spent his youth at Malabar Farm in Lucas, OH before moving to Cleveland, where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 1960.

After graduation, Bob joined the U.S. Army where he served as a Military Policeman stationed in Germany. Following his service years, he returned to Berea where he worked part-time jobs while attending Baldwin-Wallace College. In 1963, he established Huge Heating & Cooling. His brother (Mark Huge) joined him, and together they ran a successful business. The recognizable bright red “Huge Heating & Cooling” trucks were a common site on the west side of Cleveland.

Bob was Founder and Director of the Bagley Road Annexation Committee. The committee enabled the annexation of 280 acres of prime industrial real estate to the City of Berea. On Bagley Road, he built and managed large buildings for commercial use and was responsible for all aspects of the design and construction.

When Bob was in his early 30s, his uncle, Ernest “Spike” Miller, took him for a ride in a small plane. Bob enjoyed it so much that he decided to learn to fly. He got his pilot license and instrument rating and also learned to fly helicopters. He used his plane for business, as he had customers who owned bowling establishments outside of Ohio that called on him for service. Bob eventually retired from Huge Heating & Cooling in 1990 and his full-time work changed to philanthropy.

Bob joined the Rotary Club of Berea (1973-2022) where he served several terms as President and Treasurer. He was honored as Rotarian of the Year in 1980 and 1998.  He received the Rotary International President’s Cliff Dochterman Award in 2009 and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Bob served 10 years as Co-Chair of Rotary International’s District 6630 Short-Term Youth Exchange Program and chaired several fund-raising events. Bob was honored in memoriam by Rotary with a gift to the Tree of Knowledge campaign sponsored by the Berea High Alumni Association.

Elected President of the Malabar Farm Foundation (Ohio State Park) 2013-2022, Bob is an emeritus member of the Malabar Farm Foundation Board of Directors.  The Foundation named their board room in his honor.  He served as Treasurer of the Berea High School Alumni Association 2004-2021.  Bob was the former Assistant Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor the National Council of Boy Scouts can present to a local Scout Master, in 2000.

Bob was adventurous.  He traveled around the world, went parachuting, scuba diving, hosted numerous parties for reunions, clam bakes, and enjoyed hosting friends and family.  Most importantly, he loved being involved in his children’s lives and activities.  Bob was a pillar in his community. He had a servant’s heart and was always helping others. He was a man of his word and a man of action. He was loving, caring, supportive, fun, and the family rock.

He was a beacon of light to those who knew him. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1).  Bob put his trust in Jesus (John 3:16).

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert William Huge, and his mother, Virginia Isabel Blockburger; he is survived by his brother, Mark Huge (Barbara); loving father of Diane Murphy (Gary), Colleen Carboy (Greg), Michael Huge (Angela) Lori Foster (Patrick). Proud grandpa of Alexa, McKenna, Nicholas, Matthew, Brianna, John, Grace and Marisa.

Full Military Honors will be conducted at the Ohio Western National Cemetery in Rittman on November 25, 2022 at 1pm, 10175 Rawiga Road Seville, OH 44273. (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE FRONT GATE). A Celebration of Life will take place on November 25, 2022 from 3-5pm at The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135, where family will receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to organizations that meant so much to Bob:  Malabar Farm Foundation: www.MalabarFarm.org (click donate on the 1st web page) or you may send a check to: Malabar Farm Foundation, PO Box 551, Lucas, OH 44843

Berea Rotary Foundation: PO Box 55, Berea, OH 44017

Please refer inquiries to: ChildrenofBobHuge@gmail.com

SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO A. RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS OHIO, (WEST OF I-71)

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