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Bob Eldridge
BOB ELDRIDGE
Iowa City
Robert "Bob" Lee Eldridge, 81, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, June 29, 2016. For the past five years, he resided at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree because of Alzheimer's disease.
Bob was born July 29, 1934, in Indianapolis. He met his future wife, Sue Dyer, in the first grade. In 1952, they graduated from Southport High School, where he played basketball, the Hoosier pastime. Bob and Sue married in 1955. He graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint in 1956 and later received his MBA from Butler University in Indianapolis.
Bob had a 27-year career with IBM, first in Indianapolis, then Chicago, and in 1973, moved to Iowa City. He was a senior marketing representative, responsible for accounts with the University of Iowa and its hospitals. His colleagues and customers praised his professionalism, customer focus, integrity, honesty and fair dealing. IBM often recognized his work, including five regional manager awards, 20 Hundred Percent clubs and two Golden Circles.
After retiring in 1991, he worked part-time at First National Bank and H&R Block.
Bob was a member of the Iowa City Noon Optimists and volunteered annually at its Christmas tree lot. He was recognized by the Red Cross for his high level of blood donations and participated in Alzheimer's research studies.
He was an avid bridge player, accumulating 255 master points through the American Contract Bridge League, attaining the rank of NABC Master. He considered Indiana basketball "the only major sport," but he also became a fan of his adopted Hawkeyes.
Bob is survived by his three daughters, Diane Eldridge Mattila of Iowa City, Brenda Eldridge of Columbus, Ohio, and Karen Eldridge (Tom Charlton) of Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Amber Mattila-Plank (Lewis) and Jadyn Eldridge; a great-grandson, Raiden Henrichson-Mattila; and a cousin, Margaret Holmes (John) of Des Moines.
His wife, Sue, died in 2012.
The family also would like to thank Truda Kruger for her invaluable support over the years.
A private celebration of life ceremony will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association (Bob Eldridge Tribute Fund).
Online condolences may be made at www.lensingfuneral.com.
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