Robert (Bob) James Bates, 87, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away on April 30, 2023, at home, surrounded by loved ones, after a battle with cancer. Bob was born on July 11, 1935, in Gardner, Massachusetts, to Virgil and Grace (Moulson). Bob was a busy and ambitious child finding ways to earn money from an early age to include selling eggs, managing a paper route, cleaning boilers, and other jobs. At age 16, Bob purchased his own car, much to the surprise of his parents as it was the first car in the family. Bob loved baseball throughout his life and was a life-long fan of the Boston Red Sox. His favorite player was Ted Williams for what he did both on and off the field.

Bob graduated in 1953 from Ware High School and accepted a full-time position at the Ware Shoe Corporation. He got his start in the pattern room and over time rose to become the General Manager. Also immediately following graduation, Bob enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves. He retired from his career with the army as a sergeant in 1961.

In 1954, Bob wed the love of his life, Barbara (Gage), and they enjoyed a wonderful life of nearly 64 years together until her death in 2018. As a young couple, they joined a ballroom dance class and made enduring friendships with other couples in that group, getting together for many special occasions in each other's lives. Bob's career led the family to relocate over 20 times, to include Maine, Ohio, New Hampshire and eventually to the Dominican Republic where he and Barbara resided for 10 years. They retired to Florida and then spent their final years in South Carolina.

Other than his parents and his wife, Bob was predeceased by an infant brother, as well as a grandchild, Robert Steven Bates, of Rodgau, Germany. Although Bob grew up an only child, he married into a large family as Barbara was the oldest of six siblings and also had many cousins.  They enjoyed spending time with the extended family as much as possible. He is predeceased by all but one of Barbara's siblings, Norma Gage, of Oregon City, Oregon, and all but one of her siblings' spouses, Mary Gage, of Ware, Massachusetts.

He also leaves behind a son, Robert Christopher Bates, and his wife Elvira, of Rodgau, Germany; a son, Paul Douglas Bates, his wife Donna, and grandson Daniel, all of Prospect, Kentucky,  a grandson Christopher Fitzpatrick, his wife Kate, and great granddaughters Emma and Annie, all of Barrington, Rhode Island, grandsons Matthew Paul Bates and Trevor James Bates, of Fall River, Massachusetts, a grandson Cole Skinker, his wife Megan, and great granddaughter Madelyn Grace, all of Silver Spring, Maryland; a daughter Julie Anne Schlosser, her husband Alfred, a granddaughter Aili, all of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a grandson Benjamin, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Bob also leaves behind a cousin Judy Brodeur of Springfield, Massachusetts, her son Timothy, his wife Kara, and their young family of Milton, Massachusetts.  Bob had special caregivers, who will be forever friends of the family, due to their wonderful care for both Barbara and Bob, Donna McKinney and Suzanne Dawley. He also leaves behind a special pet, his cat Peaches.

Bob led his life in an exemplary way, always willing to help others professionally and personally. He trusted and helped as many people as he could, humbly making positive impacts wherever he went. His children will forever be grateful for his guidance throughout their lives.

The family wants to thank Griswold Home Care and Amedisys Hospice for their support. There will be no local services.  An interment ceremony will be scheduled in Massachusetts at a later date for both Barbara and Bob Bates.

Donations can be made to the Parkinson's Disease Research and Education Institute at parkinsonsdiseaseresearcheduca tioninstitute.org .