Robert was born Nov. 26, 1926, to Rudolf and Elsie Eidam of Hammond, Ind. After graduating from Hammond High School in 1945, he served in the Army before attending Purdue University, where he earned a degree in metallurgical engineering. At Purdue, he met and married Martha Ann Whelan.

Bob and Martha raised three sons in Indiana while Bob worked at Blaw Knox Company. He later started his own business, Continental Machine & Engineering Co. Upon retirement, Bob and Martha moved to Tryon, where they enjoyed the Blue Ridge Mountains for more than 20 years. In July of 2006, they moved to the White Oak Estates retirement community in Spartanburg, S.C. Martha preceded Bob in death at age 76; they were married for 54 years.

Bob is survived by his sons and their wives, Greg and Dona of Anchorage, Alaska, David and Tonia of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Tom and Janet of Olathe, Kansas; brother and sister-in-law Clarence and Jean Eidam of Munster, Ind.; seven granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 28, 2009 at the Tryon Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Hunter Coleman officiating.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob&squo;s honor to Tryon Presbyterian Church, 430 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary