Robert Eldridge

Robert Frank Eldridge

1915-2011

Robert F. Eldridge, born September 6, 1915, is affectionately known as Bob, devoted husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. A man of utmost integrity, Bob’s uncomprising character, his love of family, his unquenchable thirst for learning, and his staunch work ethic are indelibly etched on the hearts and minds of those of us who knew him best.

In the months prior to his death, Bob shared several childhood memories with his sons, to be passed on to future generations. The memories contained in this story are a parting gift to his family and friends.

Since early childhood, Bob’s life view has always been, “the cup is half full, not half empty”. He possessed an uncanny ability to take whatever comes in stride. His earliest memory is being three years old and mixing mud and water in a metal pan. His sister Bea asked what he was doing. “I guess I was making a mud pie”, Bob reminisces.

Another early memory explains how Bob got his middle name. He said his Uncle Frank promised to give him five dollars on every birthday if his parents gave him the middle name, Frank. His parents honored Uncle Frank’s request, but Bob doesn’t recall ever receiving any money.

In 1917, Bob’s Dad, Fred, and his sister, Bernice, died unexpectedly from typhoid fever. At that time, the family was living in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, where Fred worked in the creamery business. After Bob’s Mom, Clara, lost her husband and daughter, she and her family moved back to her hometown of Fowler, Michigan. There she took in boarders, did laundry and sold cosmetics to make ends meet. Even though Clara worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk, Bob remembers her as a sacrificial, loving parent who frequently took time to nurture him and his siblings—Mert, Evard, Hugh and Bea. Bob remembers one particular day as a kindergartener when he came home and proudly showed her a multi-colored paper ring necklace he’d made at school. Clara listened intently and praised him as he told her how he’d completed this wonderful project.

After Bob’s Dad died, there was no one to look after him during summer days. Because of his positive perspective, Bob saw this as an advantage. After all, what could be better than having the run of the town? And, barefooted at that! He said he probably visited every house in Fowler at one time or another - even the nun’s home near the Catholic Church.

Bob remembers that he disliked milking cows that wouldn’t let their milk down. And cleaning out stables was not fun, either! After the evening chores were done, there was just enough time left to do homework by the light of an oil lamp. Bob excelled in math, taking an extra year of algebra and geometry.

One of the boarders who stayed at Clara’s house was Harry Hertzberg, a tile worker who came to Fowler to help install the floor of the Fowler State Bank. Clara and Harry married and for the next few years, the family moved several times to find work. Bob remembers traveling by train with his Mother and sister when they moved from Fowler to Flint.

Even though Bob didn’t have his own Dad to serve as a role model, other men were placed in his life to mentor and encourage him. Among these were his Grandfather Frederick Miller, Allen Sperry, Frank Whittaker and Pastor Arthur Beyer. Bob remembers spending several Sunday afternoons drinking coffee and talking with Pastor Beyer at the Church parsonage.

Bob’s Mom told him about his ancestors. Clara and her brother, Herman, grew up on the Miller family farm, located one mile south and two miles west of Fowler. Bob’s Grandfather Miller was five years old when the Civil War began and his Grandfather’s brother, John, was 16 and served in the Union Army.

The town of Fowler is filled with memories for Bob. Here are some of the things he recalls:

· Eating tasty ice cream cones from Martin’s Drugstore, often purchased by his Grandpa Miller or Alberta Martin

· Riding in the truck with George Schafer to deliver and set up farm equipment

· Seeing Main Street paved, the horse tie-ups removed, and the first concrete sidewalks constructed

· Watching three train cars of soldiers arrive to commemorate the end of World War I

All of Bob’s brothers left home early. Evard moved to Detroit, Hugh to his Uncle Art and Ella’s farm and Mert to the U.S. Army. When Bob was about seven or eight, Mert bought a new Chevrolet with a ‘rumble seat” and gave Bob a ride. It was great fun! Before leaving, Mert gave Bob a handful of coins. He buried these coins under a rock and methodically removed one nickel per day to buy a candy bar during school lunch period.

Bob attended youth group at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fowler. It was here that he met the love of his life, the late Bertha Marie Tiedt. Even though Bertha played “hard to get,” Bob’s heart was smitten! She decided to forgo a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music to become his bride. Together, they were blessed with five sons—Bob, Douglas, Bill, John, and Michael.

Bob’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren recently shared these memories:

· “Grandpa took me on the only fishing trip I’ve ever been on! I must have been seven or eight years old. I caught a sunfish and Grandma pan-fried it for dinner. I really remember it because it was time with just him and me! “

· “Grandpa always loved butter pecan ice cream, and always had mixed nuts at the house. A couple of years ago, he told us he’s always had a sweet tooth! I must get it from him-hahaJ”

· “Grandpa and I made ice-cream with the old-fashioned hand-cranked maker.”

· “I helped him pour food into a metal pan and we summoned all the barn cats to come.”

· “My memories serve as material for my bedtime stories with my own daughters.”

· “For every fish I’ve hooked, his words have echoed in my mind: “Keep your rod tip up. Don’t let your line go slack!”

· “Grandpa taught me at 12 how compound interest worked and how a small investment today would grow into significant savings. “

· “Grandpa said one of his goals was to learn something new each day. I’m convinced one of his goals was to teach me something new every time I talked with him.”

· “When Grandpa and Grandma came to my college graduation, that meant so much to me.”

· “His loyalty and faithfulness are among his greatest qualities, especially as he stood by Grandma to the very end. Those qualities must have translated to his sons, because it’s those very qualities I admire in my own Dad.”

· “Some of the best times were being together with the whole family in church and hearing Grandpa’s voice boom above all the others, belting out his favorite hymns.”

· “Dad and Mom Eldridge fondly called his daughters-in-law, ‘our girls.’”

· “Grandpa called me an endearing nick-name.”

· “Great Grandpa was so proud of me when I was elected class treasurer. From his hospice room, he taught me what I need to do to be a good class secretary.”

What a legacy Bob Eldridge passes on to future generations and how blessed we are to have walked with him through the journey of life. One grandson says, “When Grandpa talked about his family it was evident the value he placed on each and every one of us. Thank you for all you have been for me. I love you, Grandpa!”

Without a doubt, Bob’s life is living proof of this Scripture: “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)

Robert F. Eldridge, age 96, died November 7, 2011. Born on September 6, 1915 in Breckenridge, MI, the son of Fred and Clara Eldridge (Miller). Robert was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler, Michigan and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bay City, MI. He was married to the late Bertha Marie Tiedt in May 1943 in Fowler, MI. Robert and Bertha had five sons, Robert (Sherrie) Eldridge of Fishers, IN, the late Douglas Eldridge, William (Barbara) Eldridge of Midland, MI, John (Mary Jo) Eldridge of Mason, MI, and Michael (Marianne Ahokas) Eldridge of Arcata, CA., nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Douglas Eldridge and five siblings: Bernice, Evard, Hugh, Merton, and Bertha (VanRossum) Eldridge.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler, with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to funeral. Contributions may be made in memory of Robert to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fowler, MI or the Toni and Trish House, Auburn, MI. (info@toniandtrishhouse.org). To learn more about Robert and view his Life Story film, visit his personal webpage a www.lifestorynet.com/memories/75238 where you can share a memory or photo, and sign his memory book.

Contact information for donations:

St. Paul Lutheran Church

325 N. Sorrell

Fowler, MI 48835

(989) 593-2066

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Toni and Trish House

P.O. Box 125

Auburn, MI 48611

Email: info@toniandtrishhouse.org

(989) 662-6400