Robert “Bob/Coach” Conklin, 81, passed peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Sunnyview Nursing Home. He was the son of the late John R. and Elizabeth “Lib” Conklin. Bob was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1944, and was the oldest of four boys. He spent a large part of his childhood in Waynesburg PA, then moved to Butler in 1960 and graduated from Butler high school in 1962.
Bob retired from Armco Steelworks after 31 years in 1995, then went on to teach safe driving classes for AAA, as well as student drivers’ education. He was well known in the community as he coached football for 32 years. He started his coaching career in the Butler Midget Football League; he was head coach at Moniteau High School in the early 1980s as well for the semi-pro team The Butler County Eagles. He was an assistant coach at Butler High School as well.
Coach Conklin was most proud of helping his players become better men through instilling life lessons as he coached. If you ask anyone of his players till this day, they will agree that he taught much more than football.
Robert is survived by his three daughters: Denine (Jay) Grabiec of Canfield, OH, Alissa (Robert) Zanella of Butler, and Jennifer Conklin-Stoepfel of Grove City, his precious grandchildren, Robert (Erin) Zanella, Matthew (Ann) Zanella, Lindsey and Alexa Grabiec, Julia Stoepfel, his step grandchildren Emma and Maya Stoepfel, and his brothers Jim and Doug; he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Mike.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5-7 PM at SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. A closing prayer will immediately follow in the funeral home.