Robert Blaine Decker

Robert “Bob” Decker, 78, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away on May 15, 2020 after a short but valiant fight with cancer. He was surrounded by the love and strength of his family.

He was born in Muncie, Indiana on September 8, 1941 to Robert and Mae Decker. He graduated in 1959 from Muncie Central High School where he met the love of his life, Sharon (Slye). They married in 1962 and raised three daughters; Tracy Shearer (Ed), Lori Bolduc (Tim), and Kristin Redmond (Russ). He is survived by 5 grandchildren; Brandy Kromah (Fumba), Mysen Shearer, Jackson Redmond, Jon Redmond, & Katie Bolduc and 1 great-granddaughter, Isabel Kromah. He is also survived by his brother Jim Decker, sister Peggy Garrett and many nieces and nephews.

An intimate celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 27th at his residence (732 S. Lakehurst Drive, Franklin, IN 46131) from 3-5pm. A celebrant will share stories of his life and love at 3:15pm. Family and friends are invited to stay after the Remembrance to visit. The event will be outside and social distancing will be observed. Please dress casually and comfortable for Indiana June weather.

We celebrate the life and love of Bob Decker and tell his story with heartfelt admiration and melancholy for the man we will each miss. There is no doubt that he entered the gates of Heaven dressed in his finest patched-with-love garage shirt, a sly half-smile, and muttering a familiar “howdy” as he was welcomed by a host of familiar angels. In Heaven, as he did on Earth, he’d know no strangers. By the end of even the briefest of conversations, not only would you be his friend you would have heard a story or learned a fact that would have made you a better person. He’d patiently listen, quietly thinking and then wait for a natural pause to say “let me say this about that...” You could agreeably walk away knowing that there was no winner, no loser, just a respectful understanding. He never judged a book by its cover-treating everyone he met with respect no matter their status in life-all things were regarded equally. He believed that you could never fail as long as you tried. He revered the many work relationships he experienced over the years as a design engineer. He took great pride and satisfaction in his career-valuing trades and education as a necessary privilege that he never hesitated to teach to others. His respect extended deeply in the love of his country. He took great pride in flying his American flag and was in awe to witness an American eagle in flight. His American pride was proudly shown during a trip aboard a US Navy Carrier. He believed that the United States was the greatest country in the world. He was a true patriot and supporter of Wounded Warriors and all of those who support duty, honor, and country. Made in America were hallowed words and an easy expectation. He valued humility, craftsmanship and hand-made treasures. His own talents were recognizable in the beautiful personalized pens that he turned for so many. He would pour his creative and generous heart into every pen he made and anyone who was lucky enough to have received one had a greater appreciation for his attention to detail, his artistry, and his passion for perfection. His reverence for the great outdoors was established early in life and reflected in his love for fishing, camping, and appreciating all creatures in nature. Let’s hope he catches a fish in Heaven to rival Rambo! He didn’t like gardening much, but he loved to watch the morning glories and plants sprout and grow to amazing heights. He was good at directing which plants were ripe for the picking, all while relaxing at his favorite spot in the back yard-the Hitching Post. He loved to watch the animals in the yard and on the porch. He personified everything about nature from the tiniest bunny to the tallest tree with a gentleness and protectiveness. Although he traveled all over the world, Alaska fondly became his Heaven on Earth and he discovered a frontier of peace and tranquility. Despite the adventures and amazing sights he’d witnessed over the past 78 years, there was no place better to him than being at home. At home-especially in his garage- he could best cherish the most important thing in the world-his family. Spending time with his grandkids and family was his special love. He was a dedicated friend, a trusted confidant, an endearing great-grandpa, a proud grandpa, a dedicated son, a protective brother, a caring father-in-law, a sentimental dad, and an adoring and tenderhearted husband. His love for his bride of nearly 58 years was as bright as the sunshine that he compared her to each morning. Together we can celebrate the greatness of a man and the overwhelming loss of someone very special. His legacy is the love witnessed in his family. He is gone from this Earth but he will remain in our hearts, in our memories, and in the mirrors we all reflect upon. We will see him again, but until then we won’t say good-bye, just “see you later.”