The Last Round Up – Dayton Loses a Good Man

A chefs coat hangs on a hook in the kitchen area.  A somber mood is felt in the air.  Last week, one of Dayton’s most humble community supporters was lost unexpectedly.  Bob Medlin, manager of Moraine’s Longhorn Steakhouse passed away.  He left a legacy of helping others in the Miami Valley who were less fortunate than him.  Last night was Bob’s visitation/funeral and as the crowds came to pay their respects, the one theme was Bob’s giving ways.  He had a way of making you think you were his best friend.  Bob Medlin was everybody’s best friend.

 

MUST KNOW THINGS ABOUT BOB MEDLIN:

— He loved his family.  Just 2 weeks ago, we saw him in Frisch’s with his kids. He always talked about his wife and children with the utmost regard.  He was a family man, and he loved them very much.

— Bob was humble.  He did not like to toot his own horn about his charity work.  Food Adventures featured Bob in an article on Dayton Most Metro last year (read it here).  It was like pulling teeth to get him to tell us about all of the organizations he had helped.  But his staff helped us compile the list for the feature story.  We were humbled to hear that the article was read at the National Longhorn Steakhouse Convention and that Bob was presented with a National Humanitarian Award.

— No matter how busy he was, he always stopped and listened to people’s problems or requests for donations.

— Bob used his position at Longhorn Steakhouse to serve delicious food, and help others in the community.   Bob was a selfless man, who put a great support staff around him that believed in community involvement, and helped him execute that plan. His staff volunteered countless unpaid hours to help causes special to them.  The imprint on the Miami Valley was tremendous.  We have never seen an entire staff more dedicated to helping the Dayton area.

— He used his short time on this earth to make a difference.  In his 38 years, he volunteered his own hours, his own money, and with help of Longhorn Steakhouse and the staff, he affected the lives of many for the better.

— Some of the charities Bob, Longhorn Steakhouse, and his staff helped on a regular basis include:

March of Dimes Walk for Babies.

Pancake breakfasts that supported the Sandy Hook Elementary victims, and the Mobley Family who endured terrible losses in a local fire.

AMBUCS Chili cookoff,

Food For Kids (Vandalia)

Dayton Hospice Walk

Snuggled Up Inc. – bedding for Dayton area kids

The Greater Dayton Apartment Association’s Rent Foundation – prevents homelessness in Dayton, by paying rent for families in crisis.

Shoes for the Shoeless and Brief Blessings – helping Dayton area children with basic needs such as shoes and underwear

Ronald McDonald House of Dayton – Staff volunteered to rake leaves, clean up yard

Dayton Circles – dedicated to ending poverty

Back2Back Ministries – Helping local orphans and abandoned children

Kiser Elementary– helping educate refugee children who have settled in Dayton.

Christ’s Church of Bellbrook’s – various charity programs

Relay for Life Charities from American Cancer Society–

 

The staff at Longhorn promises to continue Bob’s vision and charitable involvement in the community.  We talked with Josh Ruxer, one of the managers at Longhorn, and although the employees are recovering from their loss, they are more committed than ever to local charity benefits.

It is at this point in the article where we suggest that a little karma takes place.  Bob left behind a wife and 2 small children.  His unexpected passing will no doubt put a financial burden on his family.  Please consider helping a family, that helped so many others.

Please send donations, and checks made out to the Bob Medlin Family, addressed to Longhorn Steakhouse Moraine , 1921 W Dorothy Ln.  Moraine, OH 45439

In  his family’s time of need, Food Adventures remembers a quote from Bob, who said “It just proves we all win together when we do the right things.”

Hungry Jax, Chef House, The Big Ragu, Lisa Grigsby and the whole Dayton Most Metro team give our condolences to the Medlin family.  May his memories of giving and happiness override your sadness at this time.