Robert H. Bates, Sr., 77, passed away at his Lancaster home on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, following a 4½ year battle with ocular melanoma. Sharing 37 years together, he enjoyed 21 years of marriage with his wife Michele D. (Miller) Bates.

Bob was born in Lancaster, the son of the late Garth V. and Dorothy E. (Smith) Bates, and he graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School.

He worked as a millwright in the tile department at the Armstrong World Industries floor plant from 1972 to 2005. Bob then worked for Tomlinson Bomberger Lawn Care & Landscape doing equipment maintenance and fabrication.

Bob could do anything from building construction to automotive, including woodworking making game boards and refinishing furniture. He enjoyed working on antique and classic cars, teaching his son Bob Jr. as he worked. He always looked for something to do, especially to help others. He would talk with his sons-in-law about everything and anything for hours at a time.

He was a member of Millersville Bible Church and shared in mowing the lawn. Bob loved to care for his own lawn and flowerbeds and his neighbors' lawns.

Bob and Michele enjoyed vacations in New Yok to Niagara Falls and the Thousand Islands.

In addition to Michele, Bob's family includes sons, Robert H. Bates, Jr., husband of Deana of Lancaster and Garth R. Bates of Lancaster, daughters, Tiffany, wife of Darrell Kreider of Lancaster and Cortney, wife Joshua Palmatier of New Providence, 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and his Havanese dog Pash. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard G. Bates, husband of Carole of New Providence.

Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a contribution in Bob's memory to Millersville Bible Church, 121 N. George St, Millersville, PA 17551 Millersville Bibe Church or Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 Hospice & Community Care or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 American Cancer Society