January 29, 1944 – August 8, 2026
Robert “Bob” Daniel Birmingham, 82, of Fincastle, passed away on August 8, 2026. Bob was born on January 29, 1944, in Baltimore, Md., to Larkin and Anna Birmingham.
Bob began his career at Westinghouse in Maryland. In 1970, his family moved to Roanoke, where he joined his wife’s family business, Piedmont Foundry Supply, Inc. He started by doing whatever needed to be done – loading and unloading trucks and railcars, making sales calls and deliveries, and learning the foundry business from the ground up. Through hard work and dedication, he built a 56-year career that became one of the great passions of his life.
Bob traveled throughout the East Coast calling on customers, many of who became lifelong friends. In 1995, he was named President of Piedmont Foundry Supply. He was also a member of the American Foundry Society and served as Chapter Chairman from 1990-1991.
Above all else, Bob was a family man. He met the love of his life, Carol Sue, at Glen Burnie High School, and they married on October 17, 1964. Together, they shared a deep and lasting love for 59 years. Bob and Sue raised three daughters, Cyndi, Marcy, and Nikki. Bob was fiercely protective of his family and took great pride in being their provider. His family always knew they could count on him.
Bob was incredibly proud of his seven grandchildren, who brought him tremendous joy. He was affectionately known as their “Pop” and loved watching them grow. He especially enjoyed taking his family on vacations, watching the grandchildren play by the pool, and spending time together on boat outings. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, who brought a special kind of joy to his later years.
Bob was a longtime member of the Roanoke Country Club, where he enjoyed golf and the friendships he made with his golf group, affectionately known as the “Hot Shots.” In later years he enjoyed playing cards, particularly gin rummy, and always enjoyed trying to win those hands!
Bob will be remembered for his strong work ethic, loyalty, protective nature, sense of humor, and unwavering devotion to his family. His daughters will miss his guidance and steady presence, and the pride he took in his family.
Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol Sue Birmingham; his parents, Larkin and Anna Birmingham; and his brothers, John and Lark Birmingham.
Bob is survived and forever remembered by his daughters and sons-in-law, Cyndi and Eric Reese, Marcy and Robbie Gallagher, and Nikki and John Waff; seven grandchildren, Corey Gallagher and his wife McKenna, Branden Bowen and fiancée Jasmine, Brittany Deisher and her husband Hunter, Kacey Bryan and her husband Dylan, Nicholas Bowen, Garrett Reese and Halle Reese; and his five great-grandchildren, Joella, Weston and Lainey Bryan, and Jonah and Jemma Deisher.
Bob’s legacy is reflected in the business to which he devoted so much of his life, but even more so in the family he loved so deeply. He took great pride in his work and in the relationships and friendships it brought into his life. But his greatest pride was his family and the life they shared together.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main Street., Salem. The service will be officiated by Father Ned Morris and followed by a reception. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of SWVA or First Tee.
Arrangements are by Rader Funeral Home, Daleville, 540-992-1212.
