Robert Stephen Pado

Robert Stephen Pado, lovingly known as "Papa," passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who loved him. To many, he was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, and friend. To his family, he was the heart of so many of their favorite memories. He was our Papa.

Born on September 19, 1950, in Lodi, Ohio, to Stephen Pado and Gladys Stevens, Robert lived a life that reflected the values he held dear: hard work, generosity, and unwavering love for the people around him.

A 1968 graduate of Northwestern High School and later a student at Stark Technical School, he proudly served his country as an Army Combat Veteran during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1972. He carried that same spirit of service throughout his life, remaining a proud and active veteran within his community.

On December 27, 1969, he married the love of his life, Rita (Vitatoe) Pado. Together, they built a remarkable life spanning more than fifty-six years, creating a home filled with faith, family traditions, goofiness, and unconditional love.

Robert retired from The Timken Company in 2014, but retirement never seemed to fit him particularly well. He was a man who liked to stay busy. He could often be found tinkering in the garage, fixing something that needed to be repaired, taking something apart just to have a reason to fix it, or running his painting business, always with a boombox in hand. That part was crucial. To know him, was to know someone who showed up, and always with a smile. He was the one who volunteered to help. The one who could fix almost anything. He possessed a quiet steadiness that made people feel safe, valued, and taken care of.

For more than 45 years, Robert was a faithful member of West Hill Baptist Church. He shined while serving in the church choir, and those who knew him best know that singing was never confined to Sunday mornings. Music seemed to follow him everywhere. Whether in church, in the car, around the house, or in the company of family, Papa was always singing.

He and Rita shared a love for bird-watching, movie-theatre date nights, a good book on the couch together, and travel, creating memories across countless miles and years. Yet no destination ever brought him more joy than wherever his family happened to be. Some of his happiest moments were spent sitting in bleachers, standing along the sidelines, and cheering on his children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. Their accomplishments, big and small, brought him endless pride, and always a joyful tear; he was the happy crier.

He shared his love of music with his daughter, Kim, and singing became more than a pastime. It became part of how the Pado household expanded across more generations, always turning up the music. He shared his love of basketball with his son, Chad, creating a bond built on games, conversations, and countless memories that stretched far beyond the final buzzer.

Robert lived with a servant's heart and a joyful spirit. He always looked to help, laughed constantly, sang loudly, danced freely, and never seemed to meet a stranger. His passing leaves a silence that feels impossible to comprehend.

His vibrancy lives on in the stories that will be told around dinner tables for years to come. It lives on in every lesson he passed down, every tradition he helped create, every grandchild and great-grandchild he adored, and every life made better simply because he was part of it.

His greatest accomplishment was never found in a career, a title, or an achievement. It was found in the family he loved so fiercely, and the countless people who are better because they had the privilege of being loved by him.

Well done, good and faithful servant. We love you and we will never stop singing with you.

Until we meet again, Papa.

Robert will be deeply missed by his wife, Rita Pado; his children, Kim (Chris) Seely and Chad (Kristen) Pado; his grandchildren, Ashley Breneman, Ali Armstrong, Miles Sprang, Olivia Pado, and Jack Pado; his great-grandchildren, Louis Breneman, Archer Breneman, Ruby Breneman, Kitt Ripley, Abel Armstrong, and Kamp Armstrong.

Robert was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister, Linda.

Friends may visit Wednesday, June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel, Wooster. Services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Eric Fairhurst officiating. Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, where military rites will be held. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.