Northborough/Chatham/Wilmington, Vt. – Robert Paul Axline Jr., 75, died Wednesday July 27, 2011, from a heart attack.
He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Jean E. (Bowers) Axline; two sons, David R. Axline and his wife Debra of Naples, Fla., and Donald W. Axline and Mary Luz of Northborough; seven grandchildren, David, Michael, Samantha, Virginia, Christopher and Benjamin Axline, all of Naples, Fla., and Andres Axline of Northborough; a brother, William Lee and Barbara Axline of Milwaukee; half-brothers, Jan Axline of Zanesville, Ohio and Pat Axline of Everett, Wash.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Born in Warren, Ohio, and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of the late Robert P. and Elizabeth (Knoedler) Axline Sr, he lived in Northborough for the past 44 years. He graduated from Zanesville High School in 1953 and Ohio University in 1957, also earning a Doctor of Laws degree (Hon) in 2002. He was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, pledge class of 1954, and a longtime supporter and ongoing active member of the Ohio University Chapter. He was a graduate of the PMD Executive Program at the Harvard Business School, 1966.
Mr. Axline was a longtime Northborough resident, spending numerous hours volunteering in his community. He started his career with RCA, (OH, NJ & MA) where he worked for 17 years; Bomar Calculator, Acton; and Addressograph-Farrington Inc, Randolph, reaching the level of Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Engineering. He was the founder & CEO of Plastic Card Systems, Inc. of Northborough, from 1987 to the present.
He was a member of the Executive Committee at Quinsigamond Community College and the Leadership Circle at Lesley University. He served Ohio University, his beloved alma mater, in various capacities including the Foundation Board, Alumni Association Board of Directors, Business Professional Sales Advisory Board, the 1804 Fund Campaign, and the Cutler Scholars Board.
Mr. Axline was a recipient of several prestigious awards at Ohio University, including the John C. Baker Award, Alumni Associations Medal of Merit and, in 1992, the Alumnus of the Year Award. He, his wife, Jean; and brother Bill and wife Barbara established the Axline Scholarship In Professional Selling, as well as ardent supporters of The Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre of Ohio University.
He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, sailing the waters of Chatham and skiing the trails of Mt. Snow, Vt. with his family and friends. He was a very generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He touched many and will be dearly missed by his family and many more.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Robert Axline's name to “The Ohio University Foundation,” designated for the Axline Scholarship In Professional Selling, and mailed to P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701, (http://www.ohioalumni.org/donate-now#content) or to Friends of Monomoy Theatre, Inc., PO Box 169, Chatham, MA 02633.
Calling hours will be Wednesday Aug. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St, Northborough. The funeral will be Thursday Aug. 4, at 10 a.m., at the Trinity Church, 23 Main St., Northborough. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery.
For online condolences, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
