Robert Louis Eskridge, 97, passed away February 5, 2019 at The Villages at Oak Ridge, Washington, Indiana.
He was born August 7, 1921 in Washington to Louis S. and Helen E. “Bess” (Good) Eskridge. Robert graduated from Washington High School in 1940. In 1942, he joined the Navy, serving in the Seabees during WWII. After the war, he opened a portrait studio on Main Street in Washington. He later worked as a traveling salesman specializing in art supplies and picture frames until his retirement.
Robert was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington. He enjoyed over 50 years as a member of the Washington’s Masonic “Charity Lodge”#30 where he was a Past Master. He was a member of the HADI Shrine Mini-Car Patrol performing in parades in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. He also was a member of The American Legion, Eagles, Moose, NRA and VFW. On November 5, 1970, then Governor of Kentucky, Louie B. Nunn, commissioned Robert as a Kentucky Colonel, as a symbol of his interest in and dedication to Kentucky. In November 1991, he married Rosemary (Gipson) Stanger. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and visited every corner of the United States. His hobbies included coin collecting and traveling. Throughout his life, he visited all fifty states. Robert’s great – grandparents, Elijah and Fannie Eskridge came to Washington in 1855. He is the grandson of Samuel Cicero Eskridge who spent 50 years in the grocery business on Main Street. Robert was a lifelong resident and the last Eskridge in Washington.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, his Wife, his Brother, Victor Eskridge, a Sister, Virginia Gress and a Nephew Jeff Gress. Robert is survived by three Step Children, William Underwood, Linda (Kent) Clark, and Robert (Stephanie) Underwood; four Step Grandchildren, also from Indiana. Three Nieces; Cynthia (Ron) Cornelius, Missouri; Susan (Rick) Larson, Colorado and Evalee Gress, Kentucky; and a Nephew, Kent M. (Laurie) Eskridge, Nebraska. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Monday, February 11, 2019 in Gill Funeral Home. A Masonic Memorial service will be conducted at 12:45 PM Monday. Friends may call from 11:00 AM until time of services Monday at the Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Sugarland Memory Gardens with US Navy Military Graveside Rites. Memorial contributions can be made to; SHRINER’S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN; P.O. BOX 1, Evansville, IN 47701 or Westminster Presbyterian Church; 110 NE 2nd Street, Washington, IN 47501. Online condolences may be made at; www.gillsince 1872.com