Dr. Robert L. Bay, age 97, of Delta, passed away at his home after a brief illness, Saturday, March 25, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Newark, Ohio August 23, 1919 to the late Howard T. Bay and Mary Lucille (Ledman) Bay.  Dr. Bay was a graduate of Cumberland High School in 1936; The Ohio State University College of Agriculture in 1941 and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1944. On April 18, 1943 he married Rosemary F. Huston.  She preceded him in death in 2007.  He was a veteran of WWII.  Dr. Bay moved to Delta in September of 1944 and practiced Veterinary medicine for forty-four years.  He was an active member of his community.  He served on the board of The Peoples Savings Bank/BancOhio for 40 years and later served on the Advisory Board of The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Delta.  Community service included board member of The Open Door of Delta; Fulton County Fair Foundation and Four County ADAMhs board; Delta School Board and Delta Park Board.  He was a member of The Delta United Methodist Church, Delta Rotary, Delta Chamber of Commerce, Delta City Council, Delta American Legion, Delta Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) and the American Veterinary Association.  Dr. Bay was inducted into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1984.  He was the Delta Citizen of the Year in 1990.  In 2015 he received the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District award.  Other awards include The John Mannix Award honoring his volunteer work for senior citizens; The BancOhio Award of Appreciation and an appreciation award from The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. He always enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and his church friends.   For 52 years he enjoyed a farm partnership with the Fred Shininger family. He is survived by his three children: William (Jean) Bay, of Hilliard, OH; John (Beth) Bay, of Delta and Martha (Jeff) Alig of Delta.  Six grandchildren: Sarah (Chris) McFadden of Frankfort, IL; Emily (Jason) Hurst of New Albany, OH; Ellen (Andrew) Bernal; Mary Kathryn Alig; Robert (Melanie) Alig; and Austin (Autum Shindorf) Alig, all of Delta.  Twelve great-grandchildren, Brooke, Erin and Matthew McFadden, Ava and Ryan Hurst, Michael and Dianne Eckenrode, Taylor and Chloe Bernal, Drake Alig and Ashton and Aida Alig.  One brother, John (Barbara) Bay of Wilmington, OH.  Dr. Bay was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Rosemary; grandson Michael Bay; two brothers, David and James Bay; and two sisters, Elizabeth McGrew and Margaret Betzel. Friends will be received from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St. Hwy 109, Delta.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at The Delta United Methodist Church with visitation starting at 10:00 AM.  Pastor Teresa Wenrick will be officiating.  Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be given to The Delta United Methodist Church, 101 Northwood Drive, Delta, OH  43515 or to The Open Door of Delta, 104 Monroe St., Delta, OH 43515 in his memory.  Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.

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