Robert H. (Bob) Applegate, 82, a longtime resident of Wilkinson passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and children on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.
He was born Feb. 20, 1930, in Hamilton, Ohio to the late Albert and Ethel (Miller) Applegate. Bob was raised in St. Paul, Ind. and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1948 where he was a member of the high school basketball and baseball teams and the all County Band. On April 27, 1951, he married Carol B. Wright at the Mt. Erie Baptist Church in Letts, Ind. Bob graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was stationed at the Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, N.Y., until 1955 as the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon leaving the military, he answered an ad posted on the bulletin board at the mortuary school listed by Condo & Son Funeral Home, where Bob and Carol made their home and raised their 4 children in Wilkinson, Ind.
Mr. Applegate began his employment with Condo & Son Funeral Home on Oct. 1, 1955, until October, 1997. In his 42 years of funeral home experience, Bob served countless families, each with the care and compassion one would expect from his own family. Bob greeted everyone with a reassuring smile, firm handshake, and knew each family by name. Also, Bob was an agent for Forethought Funeral Planners, and Wearly Monuments.
In July 1957, Bob established the Wilkinson Volunteer Fire Department serving as its Chief for over 40 years. A good organization must have well trained men with proper gear and equipment to protect themselves and the lives and property of others and this is what Chief Applegate did in his many years of service.
Upon Bob’s retirement from Condo & Son Funeral Home, Bob and Carol purchased Ashorenomore and traveled the water ways south to the Gulf of Mexico, anchoring at the Bahia Beach Del Sol Marina, Ruskin, Florida where they enjoyed many years of retirement, and met many wonderful friends.
He was a loving and caring husband, devoted father, and friend and enjoyed serving his community. He enjoyed family summer vacations, camping trips, cookouts, and Christmas Eve gatherings. He loved to travel having taken his family to 49 states, Mexico and Canada. He loved basset hounds especially Droopy, Penny, Dammit, Fred, and Speedy. Bob and his great stories will be missed by all who knew him.
Bob is a past member of the Wilkinson United Methodist Church serving on its Board of Directors. Throughout the years, Bob was involved in many capacities with several organizations including the Wilkinson Junior-Senior High School P.T.A., the Eastern Hancock School Board, the Athletic Booster Club, and the P.T.O. Bob designed the high school emblem for the new center court on the gymnasium floor which remained for many years. Through Bob, the Wilkinson Fire Department established the Athlete of the Year Award which was presented to the outstanding senior athlete of the year. Bob and Carol’s home was the “local” gathering spot for many high schoolers hosting many pizza parties after home basketball games.
Bob was a 50 year member of the Shirley Masonic Lodge, charter member of the Wilkinson Civil Club, and member of the Wilkinson Town Board. Bob served Hancock County as Deputy Coroner from 1970 to 1974 and in 1980 was appointed to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department Merit Board.
Bob played Santa Clause to the many area nursing homes and hospitals. He taught his children to swim, drive, whistle, ride bicycles, and was always there to catch them no matter how high the diving board would be. Hard work was an essential core value. A more honest person one would never meet.
Including his parents, he is predeceased by a beloved granddaughter, Karla M. (Miller) Lane.
Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Carol (Wright) Appplegate; his children, Debbie (Mike) Hewson, Doug (Phyllis) Applegate all of Greenfield, Diana (Greg) Miller of Warsaw, IN and Donna (Bob) McDaniel of Charlottesville; his cherished grandchildren, Brad Hewson (companion, Mary Wright), Douglas (Amy) Applegate, Evan (Kristin) Miller, Jason (Amber) Hewson, Miranda Applegate, Sam McDaniel (girlfriend, Katie List), Grant Applegate (girlfriend, Shelly Simms), Mitchell (Melissa) McDaniel, Katherine Wright, Marie Wright, and Brandon Wright. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Brooke Lane, Mason Lane, Alexis Miller, Jordan Ann Miller, Jacob Perry (J.P.) Miller, Lane Hewson, Madison Hewson, Jacob Hewson, Reiland Applegate and baby girl Applegate. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 8 on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 2, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in the Condo & Son Funeral Home with Tracy Wright officiating. Burial will follow at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson with special music performed by the Emerald Society.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the staff of the Golden Living Center at Brandywine as well as Michael, Kate and Paula of AsersCare Hospice Services whose compassion and care will always be remembered.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Eastern Hancock High School Athletic Department, 10320 East 250 North, Charlottesville, IN 46117 or the Wilkinson Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 6, Wilkinson, IN 46186
Online condolences my be shared at www.condoandson.com
