Robert Lamar "Bobby" Bledsoe

1937 - 2023

Robert, (Bob/Bobby to friends and family), lived an 85 year journey through adventures and wonderful experiences. His parents Charlie C. Bledsoe, Sr. and Lorena (Perdue) Bledsoe raised five children in McDonough, Georgia. Bob was lovingly called the "bonus baby" of the family. Three sisters were several years older and enjoyed playing with and taking care of their baby brother. His sister Doris even took Bob to his first day of school, (while Doris was starting her senior year). Bob had a beautiful Baritone singing voice and enjoyed classical music. In high school, he and a friend earned spending money by singing for private events. Bob's love of flower gardening was initially nurtured by his mother, who was a master gardener. Bob preferred growing "flowers only please". He passion was to grow roses and Louisiana irises. Sioux Falls neighbors would walk a block out of their way to look at the Bledsoe flower garden that covered most of the back yard with over 500 irises. Bob was awarded the Society for Louisiana Irises Service Award for promoting Louisiana irises. He and his wife Helen were founders and charter members of the Sioux Valley Rose Society and the Sioux Empire Iris Society in South Dakota. Bob taught courses for flower show judges in the area as well as judging iris and rose gardens in the region. Robert met his wife Helen North on the train riding back and forth to Furman University. They were married August 8, 1960, and spent 62 year traveling and enjoying life together. Although "Rhubarb the First", had to work his way into Bob's heart, they loved their cats who became an important part of their family for the rest of his life. Bob graduated summa cum laude with his B.A. from Furman University Spring of 1959. He earned his M.A.in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin in 1960. Bob received his Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Wisconsin in 1971. Throughout his educational journey he was awarded a number of grants to further his studies, including a limited grant from the National Defense Education Act to complete his PhD in Portuguese. Before joining the faculty at Augustana University, Bob taught students at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. While there, he was awarded a grant to study in Bogota, Columbia. Bob and Helen traveled in Brazil at the same time and fell in love with the country, the people and the food. After Antioch College, Bob taught at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He was then called to Augustana (College) University in 1972 to become an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Modern Foreign Language department. He later was named Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 2004. Bob made a lasting impact on Augie students, especially those who chose to continue their Spanish. Many students remember him fondly, most notably for his Foreign Language Film course. His enthusiasm for films, both foreign and domestic was intoxicating. He had a extensive collection and continued to add to his collection even after retirement. Along with his collections of films, records, and books, Bob gathered pottery from around the world and the US. They displayed their pottery throughout their home so they could enjoy their beauty. In addition, he had a sizeable display that filled a large sunroom. If you asked, he could tell you the story behind each piece, simply by hearing its description or seeing a photo. Helen and Bob loved to travel! Ships, freight boats, ice breakers, trains and airplanes took them on many adventures. Bob had the greatest stories to tell about their travels in Europe, South America, Turkey, Russia, Morocco, and the United States. Cruises up the eastern coast from Florida to Baltimore, cruise along the coast of Maine, and river cruises on the Mississippi and Hudson Rivers. They took cruises down and back on the Danube River and toured the Mediterranean Sea. In their recounting of the trips, you felt as though you were there with them. Their favorite train trip was traveling across Montana in a restored train running on freight tracks. The backcountry was extraordinarily beautiful. Their adventures and travel brought out the "foodie" in Bob. He loved eating out at restaurants and trying new food experiences. One of his favorite restaurants to take Helen was "Antoine's" in New Orleans. They had been there on their honeymoon and traveled back for special anniversaries. Grateful for having shared his life, was his loving wife, Helen, and his sister Hilda (Gainesville, GA), along with nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, lifelong friends, neighbors, and caregivers. Preceding him were his parents Charlie C. Bledsoe, Sr. and Lorena Perdue Bledsoe, his brother Charlie C. Bledsoe, Jr., sisters Doris (Gerald) Gay and Frances. A celebration of "Bobby's life" will be scheduled at a later time.