Robert Joseph Poling

Robert J. Poling, age 82, passed away peacefully On July 19, 2020 at Copper Ridge in Sykesville, MD after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Bob was born January 10, 1938 in Philippi, West Virginia, the youngest of 14 children born to Aldine D. Poling and Elisabeth Shoemaker Poling. He is survived by his wife Marcia Kuhl Poling and his two daughters Allison Bohan of Sykesville, MD and Erin Schnirel,( Bill ) of Lutherville, MD, his grandchildren, Tyler and Ethan Bohan and Kailey and Trevor Schnirel. His only living sibling is Mary Poling of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Also, sisters-in-law, Judith Kuhl of Pensacola, FL and Diana Kuhl of Arlington, VA. There were many nieces and nephews who were very special to him. Bob was a dedicated math instructor, teaching at schools in Charles County (Milton M. Somers) and Prince Georges County, MD ( Suitland HS) for 30 years. After retiring from the public school system, he went on to teach math at several private schools in the area. In addition to teaching, he coached girls fast pitch softball. His team won the P. G. county championship for Suitland HS in 1991 (with his daughter on the mound). That year he was named Washington Metropolitan Area Coach of the Year for Girls Softball by the Washington Post. Bob graduated from Alderson Broaddus College in 1961 with a degree in Business. He spent two years in the Army at Ft Knox, Kentucky and later got his teaching certification in mathematics from the State of Maryland. Bob had a lifelong love of sports, particularly baseball and softball. He not only loved playing the game himself, but also enjoyed coaching his daughters in the Marlboro Boys/Girls Club. He taught them how not to throw like a girl and how to run and slide the bases without getting hurt. After he retired from teaching, he signed up for Senior Softball and began playing competitively around the country on various teams. Over the years, he was active member in St Paul’s Moravian Church, Upper Marlboro, MD and Christ Episcopal Church, La Plata, MD. He was an avid Orioles fan. Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was always there for us with a smile and a joke. Some say, and a twinkle in his eye. He will forever live in our hearts. A memorial service will be held at a later time (TBD). Contributions in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.