Gregarious, quick with a joke and always at the ready with a story, Robert “Bob” Finn had an affable personality that won the affections of most everyone he came across.

That infectious personability and good-heartedness will be among the chief traits family, friends and colleagues in the promotional products industry remember about the former owner of Cincinnati-based Finn Graphics (asi/54290).

Following a long illness, Finn passed away peacefully on Monday, March 28, age 84.

Bob Finn, Finn Graphics

“My dad was a big part of the promotional products industry,” said Brian Finn, Bob Finn’s son and current owner of Finn Graphics. “He mentored and kept in touch with many employees and people from the industry. He believed that there were no customers, vendors or competitors – only relationships and friends to hold or to make. He was always fair, honest and able to make people laugh.”

A lifelong Cincinnati resident and graduate of Elder High School, Finn initially pursued other jobs but soon jumped fully into the promo products industry when he and his brother, Chuck, purchased Finn Graphics, the family business their father John had started in 1940.

Finn was a notable industry presence at a time when the modern promo products business was taking shape. His was among the original companies with Promotional Products Association International and he participated in the organization’s trade show from early days, family said.

A PPAI board member for part of his career, Finn worked on a bevy of fun projects over the years through Finn Graphics, from plane decals for Saudi Arabia Air to getting the stripe design to work on the helmets of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, Brian Finn said.

Indeed, beyond being so likeable, Bob Finn knew his business.

“He was always the most engaging, gregarious and funniest person at the event but also took time to speak thoughtfully about business in the industry,” said Stan Dohan, president of The Allen Company (asi/34330).

Michael Emoff, chief vision officer at distributor Shumsky (asi/326300), remembered Finn fondly.

“Bob had an ability to solve problems and craft an amazing solution for literally every challenge,” Emoff said. “What I am going to miss most is his ‘Bob-isms’ – every conversation would have a ‘so on and so forth’ or ‘alrighty roo’ in there somewhere.” 

A family man through and through, Finn was married to his wife Mary Catherine Finn (Kreimer) for 58 years. He is survived by Mary and their children – Erin, Patricia, Kevin and Brian, as well as four grandsons, Jacob, Zachary, Andrew and Bode.

“Growing up, the Finn house was the center of neighborhood activity with a pool, jungle gym, and a standing net ready to play volleyball or badminton,” an obituary said. “Most summers Bob and Mary packed up the kids, hooked up a camper and ventured across the country, taking in Washington, D.C., Algonquin Provincial Park, Colorado, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, among other destinations.”

Finn enjoyed golfing and playing softball, as well as coaching his kids in baseball and soccer. He was partial to a 5 o’clock cocktail and telling good-humored jokes. His family shared affectionately that they could always find him in a crowded room because of the volume of his voice. “He could always,” they said, “find something to laugh about.”