Robert Dale Edwards

1924 - 2015

Robert Dale "Moto" "Bob" Edwards

Robert Dale "Moto" "Bob" Edwards, 90, of Lafayette, died at IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette 11:20 PM Friday October 16, 2015 where he had been a patient since October 9. Bob was born in November 29, 1924 in Lafayette, the son of the late Elva and Anna Matalis Edwards. He was a 1943 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School and served in the US Army in World War II with a tank destroyer battalion. Bob was first married to Florence Ketterer in Chicago, IL in 1950 and she preceded him in death Sept. 9, 1990. He then married Charlotte J. Uhle in Lafayette April 27, 1996 and she survives. Bob was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette; served as a Red Coat volunteer at St. Elizabeth Hospital over 10,000 hours; Past Grand Knight, Council 456, Knights of Columbus; a 4th Degree Knight with the General De Lafayette Assembly Council 492 and served two terms as Faithful Navigator of Council 456 from July 1, 1966 until June 30, 1968. He and his wife served as co-chairs of St. Boniface Catholic Church 100th Anniversary Celebration in 1965. Bob was a life member of Moose Lodge 1529, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 347 and a member of REAC and a 50 year member of American Legion Post 11. He was employed as head color matcher for Egyptian Lacquer Chemical Coatings for 42 years, retiring in 1990. In his youth, he worked briefly as a clown for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily Circus as a clown, and was a friend of Emmit Kelly. He loved big band music, and dancing at the Colonial Gardens. Bob enjoyed working jig saw puzzles, fishing, and watching basketball, baseball and football. Surviving with his wife is David Murphy of Lafayette, whom Bob always referred to as "my boy". Also surviving are two step-daughters, Alice Sowles of Valparaiso, IN; Elizabeth Bowie (Steve) of Cedar Lake, IN; five step-sons, Wayne Douglas of Hobart, IN; Paul Douglas (Diane) of Cedar Lake, IN; James Ropp of Crown Point, IN; Robin Ropp of Cedar Lake, IN; John Douglas (Becky) of Cedar Lake, IN; a brother, Ronald Edwards of West Lafayette, IN and two sisters, Rosalie Roadruck and Pauline Synesael both of Lafayette, IN along with 25 step-grandchildren and 60 plus great and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Steven Roadruck (Christina), Linda Bruinsma (Douglas), Bruce Roadruck (Donna), Jean Slopsema (Tim), Donald Roadruck, Pete Synesael (Sharon), Andrew Synesael (Pam), Brian Duart, Susan Eagan, and Pamela Rosen(Joel). He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Jean Duart. The Rosary will be recited at 4:45 PM Tuesday, with visitation following until 7 PM Tuesday at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church 10:00 AM Wednesday, concelebrants Fr. Tim Alkire and Fr. Paul Graf officiating. The interment will be held at St. Boniface Cemetery with American Legion Post 11 graveside rites. If friends desire, memorials may be made to the Gibault School at Terre Haute or the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com And as Bob would always say "God Bless You!"