- Date Of Birth: December 18, 1933
- Date Of Death: October 21, 2021
- State: Indiana
Robert D. “Bob” Carson passed on to his heavenly reward on October 21, 2021, at the age of 87, after several months of declining health.
Bob died peacefully at his Marion home with family by his side. He was a loving husband, great father, and wonderful grandfather. All who knew Bob knew him as a very positive, kind, and generous man. He was devoted to his faith, church, family, work family, and friends.
Bob was born in Marion, Indiana December 18, 1933, to Robert H. and Claudia L. Carson. He graduated Marion High School in 1951. After high-school Bob attended The Chicago Art Institute and Ball State University. While at Ball State Bob met the love of his life, Barbara A. Showalter, and they were wed in Marion in 1954 and celebrated 67 years of marriage. Bob then entered the family business, Peerless Machine & Tool, Corp. where he held several positions including President from 1954-1995. Under Bob’s tenure, Peerless achieved the worldwide leadership position for the production of paper plate and tray forming machinery.
Today Peerless is an employee-owned firm that has machinery in over 40 countries and will shortly enter its 100th year of operation. Bob always felt that Peerless’ greatest strength was the devotion and talent of its workforce. Peerless employees were family to Bob. Bob also founded and operated Peerless Automotive, a successful race car builder and professional race team. Peerless raced and built cars for General Motors from the late 1970’s until the early 1990’s. During this time Peerless built and raced cars for Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and drivers such as Craig Carter, Jack Baldwin, Paul Newman, Walter Payton, Scott Goodyear, Jacques Villeneuve, David Hobbs, and Scott Sharp. In addition to Peerless racing activities, Bob served on the USAC technical committee and at the Indy 500 for over 30 years. In earlier years, Bob served on the Marion Jaycees and Oak Hill High School Board. Bob’s Christian faith was very important to him. As an active and enthusiastic member of Mount Olive United Methodist Church, Bob served on and chaired many committees.
Bob is survived by his adoring wife, Barbara A. Carson, Marion, IN, daughter, Victoria (Barry) Conrad, Marion, IN, son, Jeffrey (Nancy) Carson, Marion, IN, brother, William (Linda) Carson, Venice, FL, brother-in-law, Irv (Nancy) Showalter, Indianapolis, IN, four granddaughters, Kelly (Craig) Burtzlaff, Fishers, Beth (Brendon) Polivick, Noblesville, Natalie (Aaron) Grizzle, Ft. Wayne, Kayla Jo (fiancé Chris Beaudoin) Correll, Lynnfield, MA.
He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Madeline Grizzle, Lucas Grizzle, Benjamin Burtzlaff, Samuel Burtzlaff, Jensen Polivick, and Sage Polivick, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to give a special heartfelt thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice, along with Christine Ailes and her care team, Brandi Lanter, Tammy Miller, Melissa Smith, and Paula Pollock.
