Robert C. Riddell

Robert (Bob) Carl Riddell was born at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 7, 1932, to Caroline Verbarg Riddell and Homer Pitner Riddell. His older brother Homer Jr. preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Georgeanne (Pud) Varnes Riddell; his children, Bob (Kathy), Jenny, and Scott (Brooke); and his grandchildren, Beth, Bobby (Chelsey), Katie Lopez (Jorge), Rick Freije (Kristen), Tom Freije (Amanda), William, Eleanor Kilbourne (Stephen) and Margaret. He is also survived by twelve great grandchildren: Beth’s children, John and Joe; Bobby and Chelsey’s children, Gentry, Blaine, Kessler, Rose and Violet; Katie and Jorge’s children, Leah, Roman, Nina and Victor; and Eleanor and Stephen’s daughter, Edith.

His wife, Georgeanne (Pud), was his high school sweetheart to whom he was married for 72 years. Bob told his future mother-in-law on one of their early dates that he was going to marry her daughter. She then told her husband/Bob’s future father-in-law, to which he responded, “Over my dead body.” Bob eventually won over his future father-in-law with his quick wit, his work ethic, and of course his loving care for Pud. Their happy marriage was one for the ages.

Bob was named outstanding freshman man at Butler University and was president of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity his senior year (1953-54). After college, he attended IU Bloomington law school and then went to work for Locke, Reynolds, Boyd and Weisel where he was a highly respected attorney in the Indianapolis community for nearly 40 years. He enjoyed his time mentoring young attorneys, more than one of whom have said they still follow his words of guidance. He retired as a senior partner in 1995.

His children remember him singing songs from musicals, such as “If Ever I Would Leave You” from Camelot, when he walked through the door after work. He coached his sons in little league baseball, practiced baseball in the backyard with Bob, Jenny and Scott, and helped them all with homework. He was very outgoing and talkative. He enjoyed using his silliness and storytelling ability to make others laugh. His sense of humor was a gift he shared with everyone.

After the family’s first trip to Disneyland around 1968, he became a lifelong fan of Mickey Mouse. He and Pud decorated their basement with Mickey memorabilia.

His activities with his grandkids included billiards, euchre, chasing geese out of the yard, and designing board games with them, to name a few. When the grandkids visited him in Florida, he led the Doughnut Brigade every morning to the Publix grocery store. Everyone had a nickname: his was General Sweet. They played miniature golf every day at various courses, but mostly at Safari Golf.

He and Pud loved Purdue sports. All three children attended Purdue, as well as five of his grandchildren. Their grandson Bobby played on the Purdue basketball team, and they really enjoyed watching him play.

Bob was very, very proud of his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren … and they of him.

Services will be private. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children (Shriners Children’s).