Mr. Robert Rizer Bridge

Bob's life celebration will be live-streamed at 2 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 4. Log on to Facebook and search "JD Good" to view the service.

Former Royal Center resident, Mr. Robert R. Bridge, 95, passed away at 8:55 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, at Rochester's Woodlawn Hospital. On Oct. 14, 1925, Robert Rizer Bridge was born in White County to Harry Albert and Gavis Baer Bridge.

He was one of four children, sharing his childhood with a sister and two brothers. Bob graduated with the class of 1943 from Royal Center High School. Following high school, patriotism beckoned and Bob answered the call serving in 325th Glider Infantry, 82nd Airborne during World War II from November 1943 thru January 1946. His service stints included duty in England, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. Bob fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Battle of Ruhr Valley, Germany, and occupation duty following war in Berlin, Germany.

On Jan. 23, 1947, Bob and Martha C. Weddle were married in Johnson County. After 30 years of marriage, she passed away. In Rochester, on March 31, 1978, Bob and Carol J. Coplen were married. They have shared 42 years of life's adventures.

A scientist and expert in livestock reproduction, Bob was active in cattle artificial insemination and semen sales for nearly 40 years before selling his business, Genetics Plus Inc. in January of 1991. Bob and Carol were both active in district and state Holstein activities through 1994. Both were named honorary life members of the Indiana Holstein Association in 1990.

Left to cherish Bob's memory are his wife, Carol; two children, Stephen Bridge and wife Catherine, of Indianapolis, Nancy Waggoner and husband Ted, of Rochester; four granddaughters, Gretchen Anderson and husband Scott of Brownsburg, Jeanette Habing and husband Philip, of Carmel, Theresa and My-Linh Bridge, of Indianapolis; three stepgrandchildren, Annie Dust and husband Silas, Joseph Lutholz, all of Indianapolis, Thomas Lutholz, of Wisconsin; stepgreat-granddaughters, Harper and Cecilia Dust, of Indianapolis, Isabella Gabavics-Anderson, of Wisconsin; four great-granddaughters, Nora, Caroline, Molly and Violet Habing, of Carmel; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Ryzer Anderson, of Brownsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents; first wife, Martha, on Nov. 11, 1976; son, John Charles "Jack" Bridge, on May 13, 2016; a sister, Kay Humphrey; the two Bridge brothers, Dudley and James.

A private family celebration of the life of Mr. Robert Rizer Bridge will be held in the Good Family Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the United States Army Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to Bridge Family Endowment for Operating Expenses through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 E. Ninth St., Rochester, IN 46975; Vision First Indiana Lions Eye Bank, 4745 Haven Point Blvd., Carmel, IN 46280 or charity of donor's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com .