Robert C. Eberhart

Robert C. Eberhart, 82 years old of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Monday, June 27, 2016. Devoted father and husband of 50+ years, survivors include wife Norma of South Bend, daughter Lynn Kozlowski and husband Steve of Aliso Viejo, CA, and two sons, Rob Eberhart of Palm City, Florida and Scott Eberhart of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and grandson Brandon Eberhart in Tampa, Florida as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob was born October 19, 1933 in Saginaw, Michigan as the only child to parents E. Clare Eberhart and Helen L. Eberhart. About every five years, the family moved between Chicago, IL, Ann Arbor, MI, Kokomo, IN, and Effingham, IL. Upon graduation from college, under military service obligations, Bob moved to the Miami, FL area and finally settled in Michiana in 1968.

After graduation from the University of Illinois in Architecture, he served as an officer in the USAF (SAC) at Homestead, FL as field inspector for the building of 1,250 Capehart home, then became chief Military Base Inspector for all military construction on the base and in the Florida Keys.

On Valentine’s Day 50 years ago, while in the service, he met and married Norma G. Lynch of Coral Gables, FL. They then spent nine years living in West Miami, FL before moving to South Bend, IN in the fall of 1967. While in the Miami area, Bob became a registered architect with Stewart Skinner Associates and worked on a number of high-rise buildings downtown, retirement centers, hospitals, and support buildings at Miami International Airport. After moving to South Bend, IN, he worked for Mauer, Van Ryan, Ogden, Natali, Cole Associates and Troyer Associates before joining Ray Enfield in partnership, then becoming owner of Architects Incorporated of Elkhart, IN. In 1995, Bob semi-retired selling his business, and began working at EAE & Associates until 2006, when he retired all of his six state licenses in Architectural practice.

Some local projects in Michiana he designed and constructed include the interiors of the Saint Joseph Bank (now Key Bank high-rise), City-County Building Jail remodeling, PHM Educational Service Center (International Award), St. Paul’s Retirement Complex, Westminster Presbyterian Church with Ollie Ogden, Clay Church (on Cleveland Road), Granger Community Church with Mike Debartolo (Architect from Elkhart), and many exterior and roof consulting projects for South Bend and Elkhart Schools, including Elkhart Concord and Pierre Moran Malls.

Bob was an active member of a number of different organizations throughout his life including President, song leader, club historian, bulletin writer, and Paul Harris Fellow of Roseland Rotary Club, twice past Secretary of the Indiana Society of Architects, past President of the Northern Indiana Society of Architects, past president of St. Joseph Valley Architects, C.S. I. and a past member of LaSalle Council Boy Scouts of America.

During his 50 plus years in Scouting, Bob earned Eagle Scout with two palms, Order of the Arrow, Assistant Scout Master, Webelos leader, District Chairman, Council V.P. for Camping and Properties and Board and Advisory Board memberships. He was awarded a local District Award of Merit, and a Council Silver Beaver Award, plus earned Wood Badge Recognition. Also, at one time, he was a member of the Michiana Male Chorus.

One of Bob’s highlights was as a member of the Bethel Choral Society, having the privilege of he and his wife singing with the choruses at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall. As chorus members under the direction of the world-renowned composer and conductor John Rutter, they performed Parts II and III of Handel’s Messiah on Thanksgiving Day 1988.

Over the years, Bob was also active as a member of Clay United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of South Bend.

Funeral services for Bob will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 8, 2016 in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Rev. Warren E. Kirkwood of First United Methodist Church of South Bend will officiate. Military graveside honors and burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Thursday, July 7, 2016 and 10:30 - 11:00 am Friday, July 8, 2016 in the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to The Rotary International Foundation, (member #1347819), 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693 or to the LaSalle Council/BSA, 1340 South Bend Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617.

Online condolences may be left for the Eberhart family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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