Robert Davidson

Robert Alan Davidson, 81, passed away peacefully with his family at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio, on May 21, 2025. Born on December 29, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of the late Frank and Edith Davidson of Fairborn, Ohio.

Bob and his wife were lovingly together more than 54 years. Surviving are his wife Nancy Via Davidson; one daughter Nicole A. Spry (David) of Medina, Ohio; one brother Lee (Katherine) Davidson of Aiken, South Carolina; two brothers-in-law, H. Gordon Via (Donna) of Marietta, Georgia, and Paul D. Via (Nancy) of John’s Creek, Georgia; three grandchildren Christopher, Nina, and Isabel Spry; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Two brothers, Roy L. Davidson and Lynn E. Davidson preceded him in death.

Mr. Davidson was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the Eagle Rank, the God and Country Award, two Lincoln Trail Awards, the Order of the Arrow, and the Acorn Award.

In 1966, he graduated from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. During his two years in Westminster Choir, he performed in many concerts in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, PA, and Boston, MA, all under many prominent conductors. He went on a 45 day, 9 western-state bus tour performing in over 30 concerts. He also sang at the White House for President Johnson and spent time talking with Hubert Humphrey. Several summers during college were spent working as Aquatics Director for the Boy Scouts of America. After graduation he attended The Ohio State University to study Architecture. His education was interrupted by having to serve two years in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, and then a year as an Army Supply Clerk in Bangkok and Korat, Thailand.

He returned to The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and worked with Hugh Gaddis Architecture Firm as a draftsman. He was assigned jobs to draft Orton Hall, both Tower dorms, the agriculture building, and the architecture building.

Mr. Davidson worked as a general music teacher for 28 years at Jones Middle School and Hastings Middle School. During his teaching career, he started the 7th-8th grade choir, started and coached the girls' basketball teams, started and coached the girls’ track team, coached the girls’ cross-country team, and coached the boys’ track and cross-country team. During this time, he received a Master of Music degree and a Master of Athletic Administration degree from The Ohio State University.

Bob performed with the Singing Buckeyes barbershop chorus for many years, and he and his wife went on an Educational Tour of St. Petersburg, Russia, where his group taught barbershop music to young singers. He used his photographic talent to take pictures of many Barbershop groups as they performed in competition throughout the years.

Bob was an excellent photographer by avocation; a history buff; an avid reader; and loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and 21 countries, and never stopped being a teacher at heart, even after retirement.

Celebration of Life Service arrangements will be made in the future.

Donations may be given in Bob’s honor to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Rd., Columbus, OH, 43221; to the Athletic or Music Departments of Upper Arlington Schools, 1619 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221; Scouting America, Tecumseh Council, 4057 Swimming Pool Road, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387; to Singing Buckeyes, PO Box 21021, Columbus, OH, 43221-0021; or to Kobacker House, 800 McConnel Dr., Columbus, OH, 43214.