ST. LOUIS - Robert Allen "Bob" Brod, retired president of the former paint and coatings manufacturer and retailer Brod-Dugan Co., died Jan. 28 of cancer at his home in suburban St. Louis. He was 63.

Mr. Brod started working as a youth at Brod-Dugan Paint & Wallcovering Co., a company founded in 1946 by his father, the late Harold Brod, and the late Nat Dugan. The company was later named Brod-Dugan Co., and was sold in 1996 to The Sherwin-Williams Co.

Mr. Brod graduated in 1961 from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in history, and joined Brod-Dugan as a salesman. He was named president at age 33. During his years as head of the company, Brod-Dugan expanded its retail operations to a network of 13 stores in the St. Louis area. The company manufactured a full range of architectural coatings at its production facility in suburban St. Louis.

Mr. Brod was a past president of Color Guild International, an organization of independent paint manufacturers, and received the group's "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty" award in 1993 after Brod-Dugan donated hundreds of gallons of paint to victims of the catastrophic flooding of the Mississippi River. He also was presented with the Missouri Merchants and Manufacturers Association's "Sweet Success" award for outstanding achievement.

Mr. Brod is survived by his wife, Grace; a daughter, Jessica; a son, Christopher; and his mother, Myril Brod. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wellness Community of Greater St. Louis, 10425 Old Olive Street Road, St. Louis, MO 63141.