Robert W. Colver

Robert William Colver, 95, peacefully crossed his finish line on earth and joyfully embraced his Eternal Father in heaven early Palm Sunday morning, April 10, 2022.

Born in LaPorte, Indiana on November 29, 1926, to Raymond and Nellie Colver, Bob grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Howe Military Academy.  At Howe he was a company officer, and three sport athlete participating in basketball, track, and was quarterback of the football team.

Bob was a proud World War II veteran.  He was drafted into World War II and, because of his high school military training at Howe, was given the responsibility to lead his platoon in their military exercises while at boot camp.  Bob served in the hospital corps at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital for six months until the end of the war.  He owned several WWII Veteran caps and wore them with distinction.  A highlight of his life was participating in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2015 with other war veterans.

Initially, Bob attended the University of Notre Dame with his sights on becoming a lawyer.  He was on the cross-country team that placed second in the 1944 NCAA cross country championships.  While at Notre Dame, he decided to change his career course and become a pharmacist like his father.  Bob then transferred to Butler University to pursue a degree in Pharmacy.  At Butler, he continued as a distance runner and was a varsity letterman in both track and cross country, joined Sigma Nu Fraternity, and in Biology class met the girl he knew he would marry, Patia Hosea.  Their first date was on Valentine’s Day, 1948, they married in 1952, and were together until her death in 2011.

In 1958, Bob opened Colver Pharmacy at 46^th and College which he owned for 17 years. His was a true neighborhood drug store complete with a full soda fountain—breakfast, burgers, shakes, and cherry phosphates—oh, those were the days!  After selling the store, Bob completed his career as a pharmacist in the Indiana University health care system.  He worked at both Wishard Memorial Hospital and the Regenstrief Outpatient Clinic, retiring at age 77.

A devoted Indiana Pacers fan, Bob was a Pacers season ticket holder who attended the very first Pacers game and every subsequent home game that he possibly could.  He was also the Pacers pharmacist throughout their American Basketball Association (ABA) days. Many of our family’s best memories involved attending those games with our dad. Although he had only 2 season tickets, somehow, he was able to usher in all four of the kids and find a seat for each of us to cheer the Pacers on along with him.

In 1969, as acting president of Indiana Sertoma Charities, Bob helped to establish the Sertoma Indiana-Kentucky College Basketball All Star series.  Because of his interest in the Pacers, the ABA, and to bring added excitement to the games, Bob lobbied the NCAA to sanction the use of the 3-point shot in the series.  As a result of Bob’s persistence and encouragement, the NCAA officials granted his request. The contest, played at Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 12, 1969, was the first basketball game in collegiate history in which a 3-pointer was launched, officially placed in the record books, and now, 53 years later…the rest is history.

A devout Christian, Bob fervently served the Lord over the past 48 years. He assisted his son, Max, as an associate pastor at their church, Living Word Christian Center from 1992 to 2014.  His devotion to God and interest in biblical prophecy led to him to also share the gospel through the website he established in 1995, “Triumphal Restoration” and with his book, 70^th Pentecost—Holy Fire, that he self-published in 2017 at the age of 90.

Charlotte Filka’s entrance into Bob’s life was a wonderful, ordained gift from God.  Both widowers, they met while attending church at The Well.  After riding together to and from church for 3 years, Bob and Charlotte had their first official date on Valentine’s Day, 2018.  Since they were 92 and 86 years old, respectfully, they believed in their hearts that neither a long courtship nor engagement was necessary and married, just shy of four months later, on July 9, 2018.  Bob and Charlotte shared nearly four heartfelt years of marriage and were sincerely devoted to one another.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents, his wife of 59 years, Patia, and his brothers James, Richard, and Donald.  He is survived by his wife Charlotte, children Bob (Lisa), Max (Mary Kay), Jim (Cheryl), and Robin, grandchildren Chris, Michelle (Colin) Shaw, Brad (Kristin), Angela (Joe) Walsh, Matt (Amy), Mike, Jessica (Luke) Williams, Amy (Armando) Lanuti, Kelly, Pam (JC) Cupp, Jeff, Lauren (Austin) Richardson, John (Mackinze) Formulak, stepson Jon (Jenny) Filka, and his 20 great grandchildren.

Bob will be fondly remembered by all of us as a kind, generous, thoughtful, extremely positive, and uplifting man of God who loved others and loved Jesus with all his heart and soul.  We will miss his spirit and pray that the love he shared with us will be honored by continuing to carry his love in our hearts and sharing that love with others.

Bob was a member of Restoring Hope Community Church.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Flanner Buchanan—Speedway, 2950 N. High School Road on Saturday, April 16. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM with services at 1:00 PM.

Burial with military funeral honors will follow at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park North Cemetery, 2706 Kessler Boulevard West Drive.

In lieu of flowers, please celebrate Bob’s legacy by expressing your love to everyone you care about and donating to a charity you love.