Robert J. Solar, 59, of St. Clairsville, was born June 18, 1944 in Maynard Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents, Steve Solar and Mary Solar Sylagji. Bob passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2004 at Ohio Valley Medical Center.

Bob leaves behind his beloved and devoted wife of 36 years, Nancy Gillam Solar. Other surviving family members are his sister, Rosemarie Stando and a brother, Steve Solar and his wife Elaine; brother-in-law, Mitch Gillam and sister-in-law, Mary Gillam and several nieces and nephews.

Bob is a graduate of Bethany College where he lettered in football and baseball. In 1989 Bob was elected to the Bethany Athletic Hall of Fame. He also received his Masters Degree in Guidance Counseling from WVU.

Bob began his teaching career at Union Local High School, he then continued his career at Buckeye Local school system, where he was an assistant basketball coach and head baseball coach until his retirement.

Bob played sandlot baseball in Maynard for many years. He was Past President and Commissioner of the Ohio Valley Baseball League and the current Director of OVAC baseball.

He was a member of the St. Clairsville Moose Lodge # 2504; Bethany Alumni and Athletic Association; Cadiz Country Club and the Ohio Guidance Counselor Association.

He was a member of the Saint Cyril Methodius Orthodox Church in Bellaire and St. John the Divine Orthodox Church in Wheeling.

Family and friends may call on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville where funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. with Fr. Joel Gillam and Fr. Spiro Kehayes officiating. Entombment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove, Ohio. Trisagion Services will be held on Sunday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.