Mr. Robert E. "Bob" Austin, Sr., 90, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 11:40 pm at Elkhart General Hospital. Born in Berkeley County, West Virginia on September 28, 1931, Robert was the son of the late Elbert and Emma Mae (Hatchet) Austin, and later married Marjorie McMichael in 1954. She passed in 2003 after 49 years together.

Surviving Bob are his sons Larry (Daphne) Threatt of Chicago, Derrick E. Austin, Jacksonville, Florida and Robert E. Austin, Jr. of Elkhart; daughters Sharon M. (Michael) Oakley of Vista, California and Marjorie (Terence) Sharp of Elkhart; 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews and other extended family, especially those in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Bob is preceded in death by 4 brothers, a sister and a son, Vernon Threatt.

Bob's services will be spanning across 3 days and 2 states, beginning with a visitation at AGAPE Missionary Baptist Church, 248 W. Wolf Ave., Elkhart, on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 11 am -12 noon, followed by a service the same day at AGAPE at 12:00 noon. The Reverend Dr. Dannell Brown will officiate services and Bob will then be transferred Bedford Heights, Ohio for committal and burial. Final services will be held at the Calhoun Funeral and Cremation Services, 23000 Rockside Road in Bedford Heights, Ohio, with visitation on Friday, September 9, 2022 from 4pm – 8pm, followed by a service there on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Gardens in Highland Heights, Ohio, where US Army Burial Honors will be rendered.

Bob worked many years at ITT Harper in Illinois as a plant manager and also had his Real Estate License. He had graduated at Oakland Community College, making him the first in the family with a degree and gave him the ability to set examples for others. He was also a devout Christian man and served his Lord as a deacon at AGAPE.

When Bob wasn't working or delving into church matters, he generally turned to the outdoors to find solace and comfort. He loved swimming, hiking and playing golf, and we assume if he sliced one into a water hazard on a 200+ yard hole, he could enjoy all three at once. He also loved to work on his yard, entertain, hang out with his family and friends, and do a little "shade-tree" mechanics, since he had become quite handy with fixing and repairing things. He was also an avid Chicago Bears fan AND Cleveland Browns fan at the same time, so it makes us wonder how his mind worked…

However, what never made folks wonder was Bob's dedication to and love for his family. He worked hard to bring home a living for his family, and those who loved him the most will remember his stories and anecdotes which always ended with a life lesson pertinent to the situation on hand. In fact, Chicago newspapers had him listed as "Father of the Year" two years running. Hard work for sure, but we believe it was a labor of love!

Friends and family wishing to make a donation in Bob's memory may do so by donating to the AGAPE Missionary Baptist Church of Elkhart or to the cause of one's choice. Additionally, please be sure to thoroughly browse Bob's obit page, as you are able to leave condolences and memories, post photographs on his memory wall, and order other funerary items in regard to the family.

AGAPE Missionary Baptist Church
248 W Wolf Ave, Elkhart IN 46516
Tel: 1-574-522-2699

Charity of One's Choice