Robert “Bob” Ring

Cincinnati – Robert “Bob” Nicholas Ring, 81, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loving family on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. He was born July 2, 1944 to the late Conrad Ring and Gertrude Ring (nee Sturm). He is survived by his endearing wife of 56 years, Rita Margaret Ring (nee Robinson) and their four children: Carol Fuller (Doug), Sharon Miller (Sean), Catherine Lipps, and Joseph Ring (Meredith). Beloved grandfather of Abby, Katie, and Jeff Fuller; Lucy, Erin, and Sara Miller; Jena, Vivian, and Eva Lipps; and Cole and Dan Ring. Dear brother of Betsy Pazur, Andy Ring, Cindy Ring, and the late Conrad Ring Jr.

Bob was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of the great Commonwealth of Virginia. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA in history in 1966. Bob secured his degree through an athletic scholarship, serving as Tight End #86 on the Richmond Spiders D1 football team. After graduating, Bob joined the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer and was soon after promoted to First Lieutenant while serving in South Korea. In 1968, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for his “untiring initiative” during the “Blue House – Pueblo Crisis.” After the conclusion of his service and his return home later that year, Bob followed lifelong friend Terry Shelton to Cincinnati, Ohio for an opportunity to work for Ford Motor Company as a dealer field representative. Bob soon met and began dating the love of his life, Rita, and the two were married on December 27, 1969 at St. Lawrence Church in the Cincinnati suburb of Price Hill.

In 1979, Bob took an educated – yet financially daring – gamble when he purchased the local Ford dealership in Loveland, Ohio with his former partner, Jerry Storm. Starting as RS Ford, their venture nearly faltered during the difficult economic recession of the early 1980s but eventually grew into a thriving business under Bob’s leadership and steady hand; known as Kings Ford after relocating to Kings Automall in 1995, Bob is estimated to have employed over 1,500 colleagues and served tens of thousands of customers during his 46-year dealership career. After 11 years as a direct Ford Motor Company employee and then 46 years as one of its many dealers, Bob loved Ford and was endlessly grateful for the opportunity Ford provided him throughout his life. Today, his children carry on his professional legacy by continuing his work at the company he began in 1979 and recently chronicled many of Bob’s accomplishments in a franchise history that can be found at www.kingsfordinc.com/history.

Bob was celebrated by coworkers and customers for his dedication and sincerity. In the face of substantial growth of his business over the decades, he emphasized the importance of personal service for his customers and connecting with others on an individualized basis that emphasized compassion and relationship. Bob was the quintessential “people person.” In family, in sports, in the military, and in his business – a consistent thread running throughout his life was his love for building and serving as a member of a team. His longest-tenured teammates at Kings Ford treasured Bob for his reliability, consistency and promoting fairness. He was perhaps most revered for emphasizing fun at work, his excellent sense of humor, and – most importantly – his laugh. A hallmark of Bob’s presence in his store or on the golf course, his thundering laugh was often heard uncommon distances from its source. His laugh was a true manifestation of his electric ability to instantly inspire joy and community with others.

Bob built his life around the belief that he could accomplish anything with determination and an unyielding work ethic. An avid adventurer, he took up scuba diving after the age of 60 and skiing at the age of 65. However, his lifelong favorite pastime was found on the golf course. A long-time member of Bel-Wood Country Club and later TPC Rivers Bend, Bob loved the challenge to improve his game and especially cherished the camaraderie of playing with his closest friends and family.

A man of many talents and passions, Bob’s dedication to his family and faith perhaps defined his character the best. 56 years of marriage, 55 years as a father, and 25 years as a grandfather – Bob’s happiest moments were often marked when celebrating birthdays, holidays, or special events with the ones he loved the most. Dedicated to attending Mass every weekend at All Saints Church, he was committed to his Roman Catholic faith and finding God in all things.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home, 129 Riverside Ave, Loveland, OH 45140.

A Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at All Saints Catholic Church, 8939 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with a reception afterward.