It is with great sadness that we announce that Robert Francis “Bob” McCabe, age 68, passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 10, 2025. Our family is shocked and deeply saddened by his death. He will forever live in our hearts.
Bob was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 4, 1957, the fourth of nine children of the late Marti and Jack McCabe. Quite the traveler, Bob and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was less than a year old. When Bob was 5, his family moved to Glenview, IL where Bob attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School. In 1967, the family moved to Upper Arlington. Bob attended Windermere Elementary School, Hastings Junior High School and Upper Arlington High School. Bob was a 1975 graduate of UAHS and was looking forward to his 50th class reunion this summer.
Bob’s university education focused on substance abuse and addiction medicine. He received his Associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Columbus State University. He received his BS and MS in Social Work (LCSW) from Radford University in 2005 and 2006 respectively. As the Local Recovery Coordinator, LCSW at Veterans Affairs Montana Health Care System, Bob was well known for his advocacy for recovery-oriented principles in mental health care, promoting looking beyond one’s diagnosis, focusing one’s personal goals in life, and saying, “What’s Strong with you!” He was instrumental in expanding training and job opportunities for Peer Support Specialists. Bob was an inspiration to his patients and work colleagues. He invited all to live the life of sobriety that he chose on November 22, 1993. November 22 became even more special because Benjamin was born on that date in the year 2000. Ben is studying Sociology and History at Carroll College and hopes to follow in his Dad’s footsteps at the VA.
Some of Bob’s happiest moments were on the golf course… any golf course. Bob’s love of golf started early as a shoe-shine boy and caddy at Brookside Golf & Country Club in Columbus. In his formative years, Bob played golf with his dad and brothers. After college and graduate school, Bob stayed connected with his many friends through frequent golf trips to Columbus, Little Rock, Nevada, and anywhere golf links were calling.
Being outdoors brought Bob peace and happiness. Bob loved to feed the birds in the winter, prepare his flower garden in the Spring, and of course, golf – any time of year, even in Montana snow. He was an early riser who seldom skipped a day at the gym. As a true renaissance man, Bob’s handyman skills were top notch, from roof repair (using a golf club) to fully remodeling a bathroom in his home. His latest passion was restoring a 1972 Pontiac Grand Ville called “Big Blue” for Ben.
Bob is survived by his beloved son, Benjamin McCabe of Helena, Ben’s mother, Marie Suthers and his cherished friend, Gretchen Olson. He was a loving brother to John J. McCabe, Jr., Columbus, Ohio, Marnie McCabe Mellencamp (Mark), Parkville, Missouri, Michael E. McCabe (Carolyn), Mansfield, Ohio, Kevin P. McCabe (Laurie), Columbus, Ohio, Andrew P. McCabe, Columbus, Ohio, Susan McCabe Barga (Chuck), Athens, Ohio and Timothy J. McCabe, Columbus, Ohio. Bob is survived by his aunt, Ann L. Hogan (Lincoln, Rhode Island), uncle, Richard F. Nourie (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his baby brother, Gerard McCabe, his mother, Martha Sutcliffe Hogan (Marti) McCabe, his father, John Joseph (Jack) McCabe, and his nephew Jack William McCabe.
Be like Bob – live life, be happy and kick ass! The family will begin receiving friends at 10:15 AM. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 16, 2025, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, Helena, Montana. A reception will be held immediately after the service at Muni’s at Bill Roberts Golf Course, Helena, MT.
There will a second Celebration of Bob’s Life on Saturday, July 6, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rittenhouse Square Condominium Club House located at 1715 Rittenhouse Square; Columbus Ohio 43220
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob’s name to NAMI Montana (namimt.org) or Montana’s Peer Network (mtpeernetwork.org).
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday May 16, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 16, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of His Life
Friday May 16, 2025
Muni's at Bill Robert's Golf Course
2201 N. Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of Life
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday July 6, 2025
Rittenhouse Square Condominium Club House
1715 Rittenhouse Square
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday May 16, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 16, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of His Life
Friday May 16, 2025
Muni's at Bill Robert's Golf Course
2201 N. Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of Life
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday July 6, 2025
Rittenhouse Square Condominium Club House
1715 Rittenhouse Square
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Share
Robert Zarndt says
Bob was a great group leader for us vets.
Thanks for your dedication to the veterans
Albert Valverde says
I will miss Bob and his golf stories. He was always there for us vets no matter the distress. Love you, brother. RIP
Sean T. O'Brien says
as a new employee not knowing anybody Bob was a welcome smiling face every time i saw him. he invited me to play golf and do veteran events. he was a wonderful kind welcoming man. he will be missed.
Jonathan J Elm says
amazing human being! he loved veterans more than most veterans. he actually cared about the veterans he served. in my ten year career i have never seen someone with has much heart and passion as Bob has. He was always on my butt to attend AA meetings and keeping me in check. your going to be missed and remembered forever. love you buddy.
Cari says
To Bob’s Loved Ones: Bob was a wonderful man; a man with the highest of integrity and Bob truly cared. I was blessed to know Bob and he will always be forever in my mind.
Glenn Scott says
One of the best and strongest Veteran supporters I ever knew. Bob never met a veteran he couldn’t support. Thank you Bob from the bottom of my heart, you WILL be missed my friend. Play Thru Brother.
Melody Skinner says
Bob was the kindest man I have ever met. He was a gift from God to us and he provided us with a beautiful road map to honor him by continuing his quest for him. There is a hole in my heart, but I am comforted by knowing Bob is with the angels now as I was always pretty sure he was one. Say hi to my dad, brother, sister and aunts and uncles please. Thanks for watching over us. Until we meet again . . . we will continue to honor your quest and your memory.
Scott Brooke says
Thank you Bob for all the support and time you have spent with our Veterans in Montana. We worked together in Helena and stayed in touch when I moved to Wyoming. You will be missed.
Ryan R. says
Montana has lost a champion for Veterans. Bob was one of the first VHA employees that I worked with who helped me. He was great influence and a force for positive change. Just by being himself, doing the work he did, and always finding ways to make a positive impact, he made Montana a better place for Veterans. Bob was my go to for most things related to my job, he built the Montana Peer Support Specialists team up. Bob was always there when I needed him. I miss you already! I hope you’re teaching God how to play golf, and I am certain that you’re playing all day, ever day. As that would be your paradise.
Rest easy, I will remember you for the rest of my days.
Kim and Tim says
Our Hearts are broken hearing of this new. When my veteran partner was having an issue with Alcohol abuse and nobody would help us on the outside, Bob was the one who took my call and paved the way for my veteran to receive treatment. He truly cared about veterans with addictions and was very helpful in getting us set up so that my Veteran could go to RTP in Helena. We had just moved to MT too and did not know anyone in the system. RIP… you touched so many people with your caring heart….
Shannon Noble says
It was a pleasure getting to know you at the Veteran Support Network’s annual Heroes at Home BBQ & VSAP. You were truly a HERO helping HEROES. RIP, Bob <3
Bob Petrik says
Bob always did what he could for others. We in Arkansas suffered a loss when Bob moved to Montana, but we knew he would do whatever was necessary to look after his son, Ben. Drive it down the middle of those clouds, my friend.
KEVIN FLANAGAN says
Bob is teeing off for 18 holes in Augusta right now! Bob was my neighbor, and we shared many interesting conversations across our shared fence. No more picking up errant chip shots in my yard! Godspeed Bob.
Charlie Matthies says
Bob, I will miss our golf conversations and your golf tips. It was always a pleasure talking to you. I will miss you my friend.
Kalli says
Our hearts are so saddened with the loss of Bob, he was a great man with such an impact in so many lives. Of all of the things my Veteran is utilizing to walk through his PTSD, his time in Bob’s group was the most helpful and most impactful. He not only helped my Veteran and many, many others, but he helped me too. He will be so greatly missed.
Stephanie W. says
Heaven has gained a beautiful soul-one who dedicated their life to caring for our Veterans. Your kindness, strength, and compassion will never be forgotten. I miss you my friend, and my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
ErlCa RySsEMuS says
“Bob, you were everyone’s friend and a true champion for veterans and civilians. One of the best—kind, loyal, and real. I’ll miss you so much. Love and prayers always. —Erica”
Wes Hoag says
I really miss great friend, Bob! What a great example he set for the rest of us by helping struggling veterans who sacrificed their lives to keep our freedom! His golf stories were so much fun to listen to! He was so funny and full of energy. He was such a wonderful father to Ben! He’s up in Heaven smiling down on us. I was so fortunate to have him as my friend! Bless you, Bob!
Leslie Jacob says
i was looking forward to talking at the reunion. you were always a great friend to me. thank you for that. i will miss you very much. thanks for that friendship. gone way too soon.
John Mc Cabe says
I’m his oldest brother John. I loved reading all these. Bob had 32 years sober, and he made good use of them. All us siblings are shocked at his untimely passing.
R. Walter Lovell, MD says
I am saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. I worked with him at the VA for some five years and always enjoyed his company. He was a free spirited man, full of energy and always optimistic. He loved his son Ben dearly. His golf game was truly amazing and his passion for the game unmatched. Outside of work we got along great and he helped me with moving. setting up sprinkler systems and more . He always regaled me with colorful stories from his past experiences. He had lived a large life and will be dearly missed.
Walt
Tom Fletcher says
Bob was a coworker and fellow Local Recovery Coordinator in the VA. I would see and meet Bob during VA conferences. When we met each other, it was like re-connecting with an old friend or even a brother of sorts. Bob was a genuine and kind person. Rest in peace old friend.
Katie Tise says
As a fellow Local Recovery Coordinator in North Carolina, I extend my condolences. If there is an option to attend the service virtually, I plan to participate. It is truly unfortunate to lose a dedicated member of our LRC community. Bob’s unwavering commitment to advocating for Veterans with SMI was commendable, and he consistently demonstrated compassion and dedication in his work.
Charles Goodman says
Bob was a true champion to the Peer Specialist field. I will miss the events we would do together. I will miss the golf lessons, participating in NEO, hearing him share about his days of playing high school football in Ohio, or him talking about restoring his vehicle, but most of all I will miss his selfless love for the Veterans he served. Bob, you left an indelible impact on my life and I will always cherish the time we spent together. Enjoy the back nine my friend!!!
Eric Cheeseman says
I enjoyed talking to Bob about his 455 when we would walk in to work from the parking lot. I was shocked to see that he passed so suddenly. Sorry for your loss.
Freddie Maw IV says
Bob was a great guy and and monumental in my decision to participate in the “COMEDY FOR MENTAL HEALTH” program. It was exciting because we learned how to be Stand Up Comedians using our mental difficulties as our subject matter. One person told me you cant tell jokes about that stuff and I told them of course I can because I am laughing at me. Every time I saw Bob, he had a smile and an encouragement that I can do anything even with my mental issues. I was deeply saddened to learn of this because Bob was a Golden one, an all around precious person. Thank you Bob for Everything and until we meet again.
Philip Rambo says
I worked with Bob for a few years at the Montana VA. He was such a fun colleague and brought a positive energy to the department. He would often come into my office and tell me joke, frequently inappropriate/hilarious, or maybe show me a new golf swing he was working on. He also truly cared for the Veterans and could always bring a smile, even in challenging circumstances. He will be deeply missed.
Trent Sickles says
I had the pleasure of knowing Bob only for a short period of time. We both worked at the VA although not in the same department. We would bump into each other in the halls and stop for a while to talk. Sometimes we swapped stories about our kids, our families, golfing too, but and more often than not, we were talking about restoring old cars to their former glory! I remember his generous spirit and I could tell he was a kind, caring soul. It was always fun to be in the same area as Bob! His boisterous personality and loud, infectious laugh brightened my day and I miss him dearly. Hope you’re out on the green and giving The Almighty a run for his money. Fore!
Matt Furlong says
Bob has been a huge support for individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorder. He brought hope and inspiration to all, and protected the integrity of Peer Support Profession, expand recovery services at the VA. Bob, I will miss you. We made a great team and I will carry your spirit with me in service to others. I will see you in heaven.