Robert Beane "Bob" Dawson, 86, of Sissonville, passed away peacefully at Hubbard Hospice House on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 after a long illness. Mr. Dawson was born on August 2, 1929, on the farm that has been in the Dawson family since 1805. He was predeceased in death by his wife, Kathryn "Kitty" Johnson Dawson, his parents Francis L. Dawson and Esther Beane Dawson, as well as his sister JoAnn Dawson Fowler and her husband Art Fowler. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law Matt Fisher.

He is survived by his sisters Betty Dawson Fisher and Susan Dawson Tinney and her husband John H. Tinney, son Joseph Charles Dawson, his wife Jane, son Robert B. Dawson, Jr., and his companion Charlotte Shamblin, and daughter Kelly Dawson Shinn and her husband Michael Shinn, two grandsons Brandon Dawson and Corey Hatcher, several nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Mr. Dawson was a legendary sports star at both Sissonville High School and Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. He is a member of the MHC/UC Sports Hall of Fame. As a member of the Golden Eagle undefeated football team of 1951 he led the nation in punting, which included a 90 yard and 81 yard punt. He is also acknowledged as one of the greatest baseball pitchers in school history. A poll of coaches, athletic directors, and sports writers naming an all-time WV conference team, Mr. Dawson was selected as the most outstanding right-handed pitcher who ever pitched in the West Virginia Conference.

He taught and coached multiple subjects and sports for over 30 years at Sissonville High School. He will be remembered for instilling in his students/athletes self-confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline.

Following retirement from teaching and coaching, he returned to the "Dawson" farm where he developed a significant purebred Hereford cattle herd. He was named "Farmer of the Year" by the WV Department of Agriculture. He also developed a reputation as an after dinner banquet speaker.

Visitation will be held at the Sissonville High School Gymnasium from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 9.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Sissonville. Burial will immediately follow at Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Sissonville.

The family thanks the kindness of the care provided by the staff of Hubbard Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bob Dawson Field House at Sissonville High School.