- Date Of Death: September 10, 2013
- State: Indiana
Robert Lee Warren, 92, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. The heart of a great man is now stilled forever, though his love, lessons and legacy will live on through many generations. Nov. 21, 1920 – Sept. 10, 2013 He was born Nov. 21, 1920, in Elkhart to Lee Roscoe and Lois (Walker) Warren. On March 14, 1943, he married Mary Margaret Jones, who survives.
He is also survived by his 10 loving children, Doris (Joe) Howard of Elkhart, Robert (Pam) Warren of North Canton, Ohio, William Warren of Edwardsburg, Mich., Thomas (Mary) Warren of South Bend, Timothy (Marilyn Robb) Warren of Phoenix, Rita Lightner of Elkhart, Chris Warren of Elkhart, Annette Chiddister of Elkhart, Kathleen (Kevin) Brunton of Edwardsburg and Teresa Warren of South Bend; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard; a sister, Dorothea, who died in infancy; and his stepfather, Chester Kamp. Surviving are a sister, Janet Froelich of Elkhart; a brother, Ben (Esther) Warren of South Bend; as well as many adored nieces and nephews.
During World War II, Bob tried to join the military, but was denied due to health reasons. Undaunted, he joined the Merchant Marine and traveled Lake Michigan on an iron ore ship, transporting this precious metal for the war effort from the north to steel factories in Chicago and Indiana. Bob was retired after many decades as a welder/pipefitter.
When local work was scarce, he traveled the country to find work to support his family. Bob’s hands and heart helped construct several area buildings including Elkhart General Hospital, the former Pierre Moran Mall, Miles Laboratories and Concord Mall.
For the last 10 years of his career, he and his wife and youngest child lived in Southern California, where he worked at the San Onofre nuclear power plant. After retiring, he returned to the family home in Elkhart, where he and his wife and children lived from 1951 onward.
Bob was a devout Catholic and a member of Elkhart Knights of Columbus Council 1043, who let his faith speak through his actions. He never had many material possessions, but he abounded in love for and from his family and friends. All knew him as a kind and generous man with a sense of humor that defined his spirit.
Bob’s main hobby from early days to the last was building model airplanes. He is fondly remembered for his hours of painstakingly cutting balsa wood, gluing the pieces together and gently stretching colored tissue paper over the frame to create a true work of art. These airplanes were sometimes given as cherished gifts to family, friends and even neighborhood kids.
He also had the heart of a wanderer and loved nothing better than a road trip to anywhere. Over the decades, he crisscrossed the country numerous times. Everywhere Bob went, he delighted in making others feel good. With nurses, waitresses, store clerks and others, he would often ask, “How are you today besides beautiful?” That inquiry would never fail to elicit a smile and sometimes a hug. His family and friends are the better for having been a part of his life.
