Robert (Bob) K. Pfaff, METRO RTA’s Executive Director, died Monday, July 2nd after a courageous battle with cancer.
Pfaff began his career at METRO as a bus operator in 1974 and worked his way up through the ranks. He worked at METRO for 38 years, serving 17 as the Executive Director.
Pfaff was most proud of his achievements in advancing public transportation in Summit County. Pfaff was instrumental in helping METRO go county-wide, introducing Sunday service, kicking off service to and from Cleveland, and the 2009 opening of the Transit Center in downtown Akron.
In May 2012, the transit facility in downtown Akron was named the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center, honoring his years of dedicated service to the residents of Summit County.
If you asked Pfaff what he felt was his number one personal achievement, it was a 2008 tax levy increase, which secured the future of public transportation in Summit County and halted the detrimental cuts that would have happened without the levy’s passage.
He was proud of the direction METRO is headed and leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the public transportation industry.
In June, Pfaff was honored with the Leonard Ronis Excellence in Transit Award through the Ohio Public Transit Association.
Pfaff was the father of four daughters, grandfather to four grandchildren and a friend to many. He is also survived by two brothers.
Bob was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and most recently resided in Green Township. Bob was 61 years old.