To know Robert “Bob” Stix was to know an unforgettable laugh that erupted constantly. Bob’s laugh was spontaneous, loud, and often rendered him beet red and doubled over. Most of all, Bob’s laugh was contagious. His quick humor, penchant for mischief, never-met-astranger-approach
to people, and indefatigable exuberance for life drew others to him, which is why Bob will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.
Bob was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Emily Dryer and Nathan Stix on June 27, 1928. His lifelong passion for baseball began as a young boy and, as a student in Cincinnati at Walnut Hills High School, his athletic prowess earned him the second highest batting average in the city.
After graduating from Walnut Hills in 1946, Bob attended Kenyon College, where he earned a degree in psychology. At Kenyon, Bob was known for bringing fun, laughter and antics to any situation, but he was perhaps best known for his hitting on the baseball diamond, which was
described in his 1950 senior yearbook as “murderous.” Bob “had the power in his bat to hit a long ball, as he often showed.”
After graduation, Bob served two years in the U.S. Army, rising to Sergeant. Stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, his baseball career flourished. As catcher on the Army baseball team, Bob traveled with his teammates around the country, even playing against the San Quentin State Prison baseball team on their home field, which was one of Bob’s most colorful and favorite memories. His achievements as a ball player earned him invitations to try out with the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Athletics and a brief stint in professional baseball.
In 1953 Bob began his business career with the United States Shoe Corporation, working alongside his father and Chairman Nathan, older brother Charles, and many other family members. Bob started out in sales for the Joyce division, eventually rising to head of manufacturing. As a businessman, Bob truly hit his stride; his outgoing nature, genuine interest in people, and savvy, practical street smarts shone throughout his career. In 1973 Bob moved to Boston with his family, where he served a year as president of the Stride Rite Corporation. Upon returning to Cincinnati, Bob joined Gibson Greetings as Head of Operations for the greeting card company. Eventually, he rejoined U.S. Shoe as Senior Vice President for Manufacturing and Operations. At that time in the early 1980’s, imported shoes comprised 80 percent of all footwear bought in the United States, and domestic shoe factories were closing at the rate of one every four days. Bob was keenly interested in innovation and reinvention and realized that in order to survive, his footwear division had to make drastic changes. After touring automobile factories in Japan, he introduced Japanese “Quick Response Manufacturing” to U.S. Shoe, replacing traditional assembly line production with one that incorporated employee involvement, flexibility, and a consumer-oriented method of production. Bob’s efforts resulted in a resurgence of U.S. Shoe’s “Made in the U.S.A.”
manufacturing capabilities, positioning the company as a leader in the domestic market, as well as the only U.S. footwear manufacturer to export to Europe. Throughout his long and diverse career, Bob believed firmly in mentoring others. Over the years he helped dozens of colleagues
and acquaintances, many of whom became lifelong friends.
After retiring from U.S. Shoe in 1990, Bob followed his own advice to “always stay in circulation,” launching a new profession as an independent management consultant and professional speaker. He also served on the Board of Directors for Nelsonville, Ohio based Rocky Shoes and Boots. As a consultant, Bob helped several companies, including Milliken & Company textile mills in South Carolina, revitalize their manufacturing processes. He even traveled as far as Saudi Arabia to advise firms on consumer goods production and innovative management. A keen follower of the stock market who never missed a morning reading of his Wall Street Journal, Bob’s passion for investing led him to his next job. As the Cincinnati Enquirer reported in a June 1993 business profile, “As he approaches his 65th birthday, Robert
Stix moves further from retirement.” Bob enrolled in an AG Edwards training program to earn a broker’s license, where the average age of his fellow trainees was early 30’s. Although Bob never enjoyed sitting still or studying (as most of his former professors and teachers would have likely confirmed), he thrived on proving himself. He not only passed the brokers exam; he also enjoyed challenging his young classmates to push-up contests. Bob’s favorite tagline, which he shared with clients, friends and several Cincinnati Bengals players whom he advised, was, “Cover your Assets!”
In 1996, when Bob and his wife Judy decided to leave Cincinnati for Santa Fe, NM, retirement still did not sit well with him. Bob found his next career in sales with General Electric Financial Services, a job he took with him when he and Judy settled in Ojai, California, to be near family. In his seventies, Bob became one of GE’s top area sales representatives. With Frank Sinatra discs playing on constant rotation in his prized black BMW, he traveled the southern and central California coast, greeting clients in his trademark fedora. As he neared his 80th birthday, Bob finally decided to retire, but he didn’t rest for long. He relished family trips to Europe and U.S. destinations. But one of his favorite activities was spending time with his five grandsons and attending youth and school baseball games, where he provided the boys with batting and sliding tips.
As a young man, Bob served as a big brother, and became Chairman of the Kid Glove organization in Cincinnati, which supported youth baseball and mentoring programs. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Throughout his life, Bob gave generously to social service, youth, and education organizations, as well as his alma mater
Kenyon.
Not too long ago, when asked about the secret to his success, Bob summed up his life philosophy as, “I’m into everything.” Many of Bob’s family and friends have recently observed that, “Bob had a hell of a run,” a fitting statement for a man who had boundless energy, charisma, and a unique zest for life. That life came to a close at Bob’s home in Ojai, CA, with Frank Sinatra discs playing on constant rotation at his bedside. Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, of Ojai, California; brother Charles Stix of Cincinnati; children David Stix, of Houston, TX, Betsy Stix, of Ojai, CA, and Amy Stix, of Bozeman, MT; daughter-in-law Silvia Soto Stix, son-in-law Mark Miller, and former son-in-law Brian McColgan; grandchildren James, Samuel, Daniel, William, Marco; and dog, Teddy.
The family plans a celebration of Bob’s life on Friday, July 3 in Cincinnati at the Mariemont Inn.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.