Robert “Bob” Hudson passed away peacefully Jan. 30, 2023, at home. Elizabeth “Bettye” Hudson, his loving wife of over 60 years, and their four children and spouses — Chip (Tricia), DeeDee, Rob (Shirley) and JB (Mary Kay) — were by his side. Known affectionately as “Grandguy” to his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, many were able to visit or phone chat with him in his final few weeks of life.
Bob was born July 7, 1933, at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, to Dr. Foster J. and Neva A. (Bowman) Hudson. He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1951 and attended both Purdue and Indiana University. Bob married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann “Bettye” Seitz, on Oct. 13, 1962.
Bob was a member of Northwood Christian Church for 27 years before moving to Crawfordsville in 1969, when he transferred to First Christian Church. He served as a deacon and elder in both churches. At FCC Bob was on the board, and on the budget and property committees. He also served as Assistant Scout Master and Cub Scout Leader.
He has eight grandchildren (Hannah, Maggie, Alex, Lily, Robert, Cole, Will and Rachael) and two great-grandchildren (Cayden and Braelyn). His father, mother and brother Jim, preceded him in death.
At Shortridge HS, he loved being on the cross country and track teams. He attended Purdue and was the baseball team manager there for a year. Bob then joined the US Army at 19 and served from 1953-1955. He earned the rank of Sergeant and served as a Turret Artillery mechanic for the 3rd Armored Division in occupied Germany. After the Army, Bob attended Indiana University from 1955-1957, and earned a letter as the track team manager.
Bob worked for IBM Corporation in Indianapolis for seven years and worked for Mid-States Wire in Crawfordsville for over 26 years. He was a junior member of the Chamber of Commerce in Indianapolis, and in Crawfordsville, he served on the MUFFY board and the Kiwanis board.
In addition to countless hours serving his church, he also built test equipment to help his wife Bettye’s OT patients. He loved dogs and owned many; as he put it “all of Heinz 57 varieties, and Labs.”
Bob was a man of integrity; he did things the right way, followed instructions, and was always kind and honest along the way. He could build and fix almost anything, and especially enjoyed diagnosing electrical circuits with his trusty multi-meter. Bob had a great sense of humor.
Bob spent countless summers at his beloved cottage on Basswood Lake in Ontario, Canada. Many of his fondest memories were catching fish with his children or grandchildren, water skiing and boating, and enjoying a Manhattan cocktail with Bettye while soaking up his “perfect view” of the lake.
His ashes will be interred at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, at a future date.
