Dr. Robert William "Bob" Culp

Several of you have asked for eulogy given by Dr. Bob's son-in-law, Doug Hyden. Here it is.

Eulogy for Dr. Robert William “Bob” Culp
December 26-27, 2008

There is probably not a soul in this room who has not seen—at least three or four times—that great Frank Capra movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. It is a wonderful movie, with many wonderful moments, but, for me, the most wonderful moment—the moment that never fails to bring tears to my eyes, unemotional and undemonstrative as I...

Meri, Taylor & Aaron - Thinking of you. What a beautiful poem you wrote for your Dad, Meri! Hold these memories close....

Thinking of you, dear friend.
Love, Eileen

i didn't know Bob, but i know he was loved greatly by his daughter Meri.
"The life of a man is not measured by his deeds, but by the people that loved him."

I did not know Bob, but having been friends with both Carol and Meri for so long means I have met the man through the wonderful women he fathered. And they are such fabulous folks, surely a lot of their fab-ness came from him. 'Tis a fine thing to have good parents and to share in their lives for so long.

Meri, I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I am thankful for your father, who made you into the kindred soul that has stood by and motivated me as a teacher and friend, and for that I will always be appreciative for...so you will have a place in my prayers in dealing with this.

Love,

Lee Williams

The last line of the 2nd to the last stanza in my poem got left out. Here's the complete stanza:

I watch him inhale,
Fear that dizziness will overtake him,
But, instead, I look at him and see
A strength, a courage,
A courage learned long ago on the
Battlefields of war, of life

Snapshots of Dad and Me-Poem Meri Culp read at her dad’s memorial service


Peoria, Illinois-1920’s and 1930’s

Born to Gertrude Tervehn Culp
An hourglass woman, tall like me
Curved and quiet, kind
I didn’t know her.
Dad spoke of her softsweet shyness,
How she called him her liebling, her loved one, her only son,
In tender German tones.

Born to Willard Josiah Culp
A railroad man whose train
Ran past the green gray Illinois River
Dad spoke of...

My dear friend Meri. Without ever having met you face to face you have shown me what a kind and caring person you are. I know how you love your parents and I am sorry for your loss.

I know he must be so proud of you.

Love, Tracy