Condolences to the family....beautiful daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren. I worked with Pat thru 4-H, attended St. CHRISTOPHER with both, crossed paths in later years at area restaurants often....

Wonderful couple! Enjoyed all the family photos.

Therese and Dave Graves.

I was especially sad to hear of Bob's passing. He was one of the best Soil & Water Conservationists I ever had the privilege to know. Hugh Hammond Bennett would have been very proud of him and I expect is. When I first started as a young Soil Conservationist and Education Specialist with the Marion Co. SWCD in 1978, Bob introduced me to his wife Pat, who was on the PTA at Chapel Glen Elementary School. With Bob and Pats help and encouragement, I designed at Chapel Glen of what would later evolve into more than 100 school outdoor classrooms in the Indy Metro area. It started with Bob and Pat.

In 1991, I took a big leap and left the SWCD and decided to become a private natural resource consultant. I recall my last day at the SWCD when Bob ("State Con") came over to Indy SWCD office and put his arm around my shoulder and told me "Ron, you will still be a part of my Indiana Conservation Team, we need private consultants too. Just always remember what you learned from the SCS and go forward with my blessing." From then own, those kind words would and still are supporting how I approach this great mission of soil conservation.

Bob Eddleman is like the old SCS he served, they just don't make them like that anymore.

Ron Dixon

I am very saddened to hear of Bob's passing. I first met Bob at the Flower and Patio Show where IPL and KIB were having Indy Free Tree. I was amazed at how enthusiastic he was about trees and conservation. We became immediate friends. He was truly a friend of the earth. He will be missed.

I was sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He was such a good man. He and I had our dis agreements when we were downsized from NRCS. However at a PW training I sat beside him. I was eating a sweet roll and told him they were delicious! He told me he had made them!! I saw him as a different man! He later planted a tree in memory of my husband Alan Weber. I was so touched that he did that. He was a kind and caring man. He will be missed. Prayers to his family. I know he is with Pat again and that is a blessing.

In Memory of Robert “Bob” Eddleman

From Southern Indiana farmland wide,

Where rows of corn and faith abide,

A boy grew strong with careful hands,

And learned to love the soil and lands.

Through 4-H green and FFA blue,

His passion for the earth first grew.

The forests, streams, the crops, the rain—

He pledged his life to their sustain.

At Purdue’s halls his future bloomed,

Where service, leadership resumed.

A soldier’s honor, steadfast heart,

Would shape the work that set apart.

And there he met his lifelong friend,

Pat by his side until the end.

Together built through joy and grace,

A home of love, a gathering place.

Four daughters watched their father lead

With kindness shown in word and deed.

And grandchildren now can proudly say

His gentle strength still lights the way.

For forty-two devoted years,

Through changing seasons, hopes, and fears,

He served the land through USDA,

Protecting resources day by day.

Yet even when retirement came,

His servant heart remained the same.

With shovel, tree, and volunteer hand,

He still worked hard to heal the land.

A million trees rose toward the sky,

Because Bob would not pass them by.

In parks and schools their roots now grow,

A living gift his life will show.

Camp Woodsmoke knew his laughter well,

And stories only Bob could tell.

Those “Crick Bank Taters” by the fire

Became a camper’s heart’s desire.

The geranium house each spring would shine,

With blooms arranged in endless line.

Beside dear Pat, through every year,

Their love made beauty blossom here.

In church he served with humble grace,

A faithful light in every place.

And swimmers, students, friends, and youth

All learned from Bob’s enduring truth:

That service matters. People too.

Leave every place improved by you.

Plant trees whose shade you’ll never see.

Give fully. Live unselfishly.

Now Indiana’s fields and streams,

Its forests tall, its children’s dreams,

Still carry traces of his hand—

A conservation giant of the land.

Though Bob has taken heaven’s road,

His life remains where rivers flowed,

In every tree, each life he touched,

And hearts that loved him very much.

I was hired in 1981 as a student trainee with SCS. From the first time I met him, he was Mr. Eddleman to me. His deep voice, his demeanor and his stature projected strong leadership to me. I learned that he cared deeply for the employees at all levels of the Agency and he quickly earned my great respect. He led SCS thru the very challenging period of implementing the 1985 Farm Bill conservation provisions. He understood the real meaning of service to our clients and he knew how to relate to farmers because of his training and experience as a DC in Crawford County, IN. He carried that knowledge with him throughout his long career and it guided his decisions in a positive manner. I learned of his tremendous support for the 4H program and witnessed a small portion of what he did for that organization. His great love for his wife, Pat, was obvious, and it was very evident that they shared a love for helping others tirelessly, as they were very often seen together at meetings and other events. I am certain they passed many of their great qualities to their children and grandchildren. Even after he retired, when I would see him, my respect for him would not allow me to refer to him as anything but Mr. Eddleman (never Bob). Regrettably, I will be unable to attend the services, but I will be there in spirit. May God rest his soul and may all be comforted with many great memories.

Bob Eddleman was the pride of District Conservationist Don Sloan and Crawford County. I was able to work with his brother, John, as a student trainee. It made me proud when Bob would let others know that my Dad’s farm and his Dad’s farm shared a corner. It was a pleasure working when he was State Conservationist.

Bob was so supportive of my career with the soil conservations service starting as a WAE he enrolled me in an upward mobility program that allowed me to complete 38 years of service he was a man of integrity

I lost a dear friend, co-worker and mentor. Bob’s family lost their “ROCK”! The Lord lost his servant leader on earth, his hands and feet and a great Christian Witness. But God gained a special angel.

What a great life well lived. I can hear the words:

“Great job good and faithful servant “

What a fantastic family and what wonderful neighbors. We lived next door to Bob and Pat for about 20 years, we had a key to their house and they had a key to ours. Whenever one family was away the other looked out for their place. I can’t help but believe that they helped raise our three wonderful boys. Dearly loved Bob and Pat, they were the best. Hugs and prayers to you all.

Bob was a friend, mentor and wonderful man. He led a meaningful life of purpose carrying for God's creation and people. Well done Bob.

Bob and Pat were faithful neighbors in Chapel Glen for many years. Always seeing geraniums in their front yard in the spring was the norm and they always supported Chapel glen with their time. Bob directed the planting of many trees in the Glen. Prayers to the family and we will miss him-Fred and Sandi Norman

My sincere condolences for Bob’s family. I had the privilege of working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service from 1987-2019, and Bob was the State Conservationist during the beginning part of my career. I had the utmost respect for Bob and for his leadership in the state. Bob was a great leader and conservationist. He will be sadly missed.

I was sad to learn that Bob had passed, but quickly realized it is not a sad time for Bob. He has passed from a sinful world as well as the pains of aging into peaceful eternity with his Lord and Savior! I trust this brings comfort to his family. I highly respected Bob and enjoyed our working relationship over a number of years. He was a great leader for soil and water conservation efforts In Indiana and cared deeply for his employees. Bob believed in partnering with other agencies and organization to accelerate getting conservation practices applied on the land, And therefore, was a key player in the establishment of the Indiana Conservation Partnership and a strong advocate for it. I was blessed to have known and worked with him.

Jim Lake, Retired

IN Dept. of Agriculture

Division of Soil Conservation

I first met Mr. Eddleman the spring of 1979 to interview for a Summer Internship with the Soil Conservation Service…He was a big man in stature and a big man in character..When he walked into the room the atmosphere always changed for the good..He was partially responsible for my continued career of 32 years with the Agency…and for that I am very grateful!! He was there to help me make career decisions as well as helped me through personal situations and trials..

We will be praying for all of his family..