Date Of Birth: October 20, 1926
Date Of Death: November 30, 2009
LTC(Ret) Robert C. Ledbetter, 83, of Indianapolis, passed away Monday, November 30, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ingrid; his four children, Robert, Jon and Sandra Ledbetter, and Kathleen Fellows; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joan Gleaton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Anna and his sister, Marianna Wells. Robert retired from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in 1972 having served his country for 28 years. He was a veteran of WWII and Vietnam, receiving several medals and awards, including two Bronze Star Medals. During his career one of his assignments was as the Director of Facilities and Engineering at Ft. Harrison. In retirement, he served as Director of Facilities for the City of Columbus and Postmaster for the Indiana Senate. He was an official with USAC and the IRL for 22 years.Memorial Mass will be at Holy Spirit at Geist on Friday, December 4 at 10 a.m. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Robert’s name to IU Foundation Miles for Myeloma, IU Simon Cancer Center, PO Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at IU Cancer Center and Clarian Springmill Facility for their wonderful loving care these past 4 1/2 years.
COL Mrs James C Causey says
We have truly lost a great friend and brave soldier buddy. He is at rest with the LORD, a much better place. We will always cherish the wonderful times we had together. Rest in peace, friend Bobby!
Rick Aton says
Dear Ingrid and the Ledbetter family,
We’re so very sorry to hear of the loss of Robert. Our prayers and deepest sympathy is extended to you. May God grant you with peace and hope as you celebrate his life and mourn his passing. He was a wonderful friend and we will miss him dearly. We know he’s just won life’s most important race so we’ll rejoice in that but still grieve with you in this loss.
Much Love & God Bless the family and many friends he’s left behind,
His friends from the Indy Racing League Observer Team
Mary Glenn Timmis says
To say that Bob Ledbetter was one of a kind would be trite and not giving full justice to him, but that is exactly what he was. Never in a million years would you know about his accomplishments without prodding and pulling and actually that only worked partially. A proud man who did not have to talk about it because he had been there and done that. GODSPEED my friend and we all hope to get were you already are as of Monday November 30, 2009. THANKS!
Jon Ledbetter says
Dad – I know we did not always see eye to eye on everything in life. But one thing we could agree on was my love for you as my father was one of respect and unconditional.
Thank you Ingrid for providing my father with a full, loving, robust life the last 38 years.
Ingrid, you are a very dear member of my family and we look forward with sharing our lives with you.
Your son,
Jon
Clifford Pence says
Ingrid I’m very sorry to here of Bobbys passing. I have very fond thoughts of Bobby in the few short times we had a chance to talk.I wish you well and God Bless You
Brenda Bill Frye says
Ingrid – Bill and I were so sorry to learn of Bobby’s passing. It’s been quite some time since we saw the two of you; however, we are grateful that our paths did cross along life’s way. We know the two of you had a lot of great years together with many wonderful memories. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and the family.
Gloria Palmer says
Ingrid,
With a saddened heart we know we don’t need to tell you how much Bobby will be missed. Not only by you, but by us. He was such a special, wonderful person. We are so glad we have had the opportunity to spend time with the both of you and will cherish the memories. Remember we are here if you ever need anything. Mike and Gloria
Robin Spancake says
Ingrid: My heart goes out to you. I’m not sure if you know, but I lost Art in January from a heart attack. I know words cannot express the loss you are feeling. Take pride in the fact you had such a loving husband. That doesn’t happen often. Robin
Carol Cutler says
Ingrid,
Mike, Rebecca and I extend our deepest sympathy.
What a kind, gentle, warm and loving man Bobby was.
God Bless you both.
Love,
Carol
Ingrid says
To all the wonderful people who have written memorials, for the kind and loving words you have sent, thank you. I know I was the luckiest woman on earth to have been married to this incredible man. He always made me feel like I hung the moon, I could do no wrong. He made me feel beautiful no matter how I looked. I always knew I was number one, he loved me with all his heart. I have been truly blessed these past 37 years. I know he now rest with no pain, he is at peace. I will miss his laugh, his smile everytime I walked into a room, the joy in his voice when he awoke each morning. He will always be with me, close at hand.
Ann Dennis G Barker says
Ann & I worked with Robert for many
years as Observers, He worked with us on Stn 1A at Sth end of Pits, plus with me on the Track Light and
Battery Crew, we loved the man from
Tybee Island, Ga. And loved how
much he loved those he cared for &
Oh the stories of his Lovely Ingrid. We will miss him until we
get to bench race with him eternally, and he will be one of the seniors along with Lefty, Paul
Wright and Jim Hanna who will show
us the ropes, where there is never
a rainout!
Jyl Morrison says
Ingrid,
I was devastated to learn of Bobby’s passing. He was one of the kindest and sweetest people that ever walked the face of the Earth. I was always envious of the absolute devotion that he showed for you Ingrid and I know you had the same devotion for him. I consider myself truly blessed to have known and loved Bobby. You and the entire Ledbetter family are in my prayers.
Jyl
Steve Young says
Jon,
Your family should be proud of your father’s life and contributions to our nation. May God see fit to bless you and your entire family during this difficult time.
Charlie Mills says
Co-worker of Jon. Your family will be in my prayers.
David A Gaskins says
Thinking of you and your family
Richard Lamarre MSG USA Ret says
Jon,
I always mourn the loss of a fellow warrier. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers duting this time of sorrow.
Samuel Odum says
Jon, condolences to you and your family.
Robert Navarro says
My prayers are with your family at your time of loss.
Ed Linda Wright says
You will be missed greatly and were loved a lot. Our love and prayers go with you.
Bruce Stuart for LW Work Control says
We are very sorry for your loss and extend our sympathy and prayers for both Jon and the entire family. We are thankful for Mr Robert Ledbetters service to our country! Gob Bless You all.
Floyd Dunham RN says
Dear Ingrid:
I am sorry about Bobs passing I hope and pray everyone is doing well in these trying times. I haven’t known you and Bob long but it was an experience that showed me what love can be like.
Don and Clara Carr says
Dearest Ingrad and family,
Don and I wanted to tell you how much we have enjoyed our visits to your home and all of our Friday evenings listening to the stories that Bob shared. He has given everyone that he touched his memories of a delightful and interesting story about his life and travels. He always was willing to share how much he loved you and was proud of you and the years he shared with you. He was also very proud of his Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren and their accomplishments. May God hold you all closely and especially during this time!
Don and Clara Carr
MrMrs Michael Bonning says
Ingrid, Our deepest sympathy. I always enjoyed Bob’s company when we did your home projects several yrs. ago. Bob will always be in my memory with that great smile.
Love Michael and Chris Bonning
Cheryl H Llera says
Ingrid,
My sincerest condolences to you and your family on your loss. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
George Humphrey says
Ingrid,
Our sincere sympathies to you and the family. I know Bob will be missed by all who knew him. I was lucky to meet and know Bob for over 20 years with USAC and the IRL. Joyce and I thoroughly enjoyed his stories of travel – especially Bob’s Canadian flying adventures.
Your kindness and generosity made two Canadians feel at home in your home!!
We have all lost a fine man!
Many thanks for your Christmas updates on Bob’s battle with Multiple Myeloma.
You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers
George & Joyce Humhrey
Dennis Leah Pike says
Ingrid,
Leah and I (and your many friends from the old DFAS HQ gang) will never forget the special after-work get-togethers we had with Bob and you. The shared laughter, stories, good times and good cheer–those are the memories we all will continue to treasure. It was obvious how much the two of you cared for each other. Our hope for you is that these and your many other good memories will bring you smiles down the road.
David Thompson says
God Bless
Noble Bennett says
Ingrid
When you talk about Bob the word is special and one of a kind.He had a special way to charm you.I had a lot of times that we would just set and tell stories about the time he was in the Service.It is a shame that this great person is gone.He was like a big Brother to me at times.While working at the Indy race we was able to get to be very good friends.He will be missed by all.My God Bless You Both. Benny
Valeria Beennett says
The greatest need in the world today is LOVE more love for each other and more love for God above but believe me Ingrid when i say you two really had LOVE it was like Magic.And i will never forget Bobby calling me on your first day of snow and saying HI BABY it is SNOWING. I Loved him very much and he will be missed very much.I will be here for you always.VAL
Rev RM Ledbetter says
Our Blessed Saviors’ prayers were answered and the last chapter of my father’s life written in that Immortal Book was brought to an end as He called my father home, as I write this note, tears course down my face because of the love I have for my Lord and how thankful I am for the great gift HE gave to me,my sisters, brother and his adoring wife in our father/husband. Amen and Amen Ingrid, a warm heart felt thank you goes out to you from the NC Ledbetter’s and the impressive way in which you loved Dad and how it flowed outwardly for all to see. We thank you and are proud to have you as a member of our family. The Colonel will be missed, yet as I understand the mind he will be forever with each of us daily in our thoughts and daily walk. Colonel, you eldest son salutes you, for you are a true patriot and as a little boy I say… Daddy I love you.Robert
Amy Brown says
My grandfather was a great man with a laughter that came straight from the heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better granddad. I love you.