Bobbie Don Bridgewater, 82, of Anderson, passed away on March 5, 2014, after slowing down quicker than we wanted.
He was born June 10, 1931, in Austin, Indiana, and grew up in Covington and Marion. He graduated from Marion High School in 1949. Following high school, he served a short time in the United States Marine Corps (said he could have become Commandant one day, but that might be a stretch).
Bob was a skilled draftsman and designer and worked at Plant 18 for Delco Remy Division, GMC with many cherished friends from 1949 until his retirement in 1987. He was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Anderson, where he was a long-time member of the BYKOTA class and also teacher of that class…again, with more friends. Bob so enjoyed the fellowship of family and friends, finding it difficult to pass up a chance to invite someone to "draw up a chair" and talk. He appreciated the help of others and also enjoyed being the one to help when it could be his turn. He worked on wonderful wood projects, hunted and fished with friends, enjoyed squirrel gravy especially with a nephew or two, picking raspberries, looking for sponge mushrooms, metal detecting, and enjoyed the learning of new things, including his banjo, keyboard, and Spanish. Bob was enriched and spent many hours studying and contemplating his Christian faith, and he wanted to enrich others. He was a giver. He was a blood donor more than 50 times, and even in his death he is benefitting others through his donation for research.
Survivors include his wife Mary (Brinduse) Bridgewater, whom he married in 1954; two children, Robert (wife Leslie) Bridgewater of Anderson, and Claire (husband Tom) Strayer of McCordsville; a sister, Dollie (husband Paul) DuMontelle of Urbana, Illinois; grandchildren he adored, Andrea Bridgewater, Katherine Bridgewater, Aaron Strayer, Bradley Strayer, great-granddaughters Angelina and Alysia; and lots of nieces and nephews scattered all over the place. He loved deeply ... and he was deeply loved.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Wilma Bridgewater, and his brother, Gerald Bridgewater.
It would be greatly appreciated by the family that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the study of Lewy Body Dementia to an account set up for Bob's donation as follows: Alzheimer Disease Research Fund (please note Account 38-MPAT-072), c/o Francine Epperson, Indiana University Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5120.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: There will be a memorial/celebration service on Saturday, March 29, at First Baptist Church, 907 N Raible Avenue in Anderson, Indiana. Visitation will begin at 11:00am, and the service will begin at 1:30pm. Please bring and share your Bob stories.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.