Obituary of Robert-Louis Sullivan

Robert Louis "Bob" Sullivan, 86, Hayden, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at his home.Mr. Sullivan retired in 1986 from Renner's Express Trucking Co., but this was by no means his first job. He had a varied career that included road construction and delivering milk by truck. He grew up knowing how to work hard and fight through adversity. After contracting a muscle weakening disease when he was young, he applied himself to exercise and was able to play basketball with the Hayden Haymakers team that won the county tournament before he graduated from Hayden in 1944. In 1980, after visiting the Lightner Museum and seeing the dulcimer for the first time, he bought a kit and built one. His wife, Clara, immediately was able to play it. He made many more dulcimers of his own design, and his family and friends formed the Scattertack String Band, which has been playing for more than 30 years. He was always a hard worker for his family and anybody else who needed a helping hand. He did countless deeds of kindness for everyone. His children feel fortunate to have had parents who taught them right from wrong, and helped them through all of the trials and tribulations of life. All children should have the kind of loving parents that Clara and Bob were. Mr. Sullivan was the foundation of his family.Born Jan. 27, 1926, in Jennings County, he was the son of Conrad "Cheb" and Mildred Perry Sullivan.On May 28, 1949, in Hayden, he married Clara Barnthouse, who preceded him in death in 2000. He married Crystal Kaye Hauersperger on July 8, 2006, and she survives.Family he leaves behind are his wife, Kaye; children, Patrick (Michele) Sullivan, Penny Sullivan, Mike Sullivan, Susan (John) Barlow, Paul (Cheyenne) Sullivan and Robin Sullivan; stepchildren, Sheila (Dennis) Coquerille, Sharlot (Billy) Ertel, Steve (Kori) Hauersperger and Mark (Pam) Hauersperger; grandchildren, Julie, Ryan, Beth, Erin, Sean, Bob, Hannah, Haley, Daniel, Andrew, Jonathan and Laura; great- grandchildren, Claire, Layne, Logan, Colton, Ryley, Barrett and Clay; 16 stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and sister, Naomi (Pinkey) Roberts.He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; and brother, Charles Sullivan.A Celebration of Life service will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the Hayden Pavilion.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Building Fund for the Hayden Museum Music Parlor, Hospice of Schneck Medical Center or Therapeutic Riding Center for Horses at Kentucky Horsepark.All arrangements have been entrusted to Voss Funeral Service and Tri-County Crematory, Seymour.A complete obituary may be viewed on the funeral home's website at www.vossfuneralservice.com.