J. Robert "Bob" O'Brien

J. Robert “Bob” O’Brien, 79, a long time resident of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on September 28, 2014 in Fishers, IN. He was born in Little Falls, NY in 1935. He is predeceased by his parents John and Julia (Brundjar) O’Brien. He leaves his wife Carol (Miller) O’Brien of Hamilton Trace, Fishers, IN; brother, Richard (Betty) O’Brien; niece, Rebecca (Mark Scudder) O’Brien all of Owego, NY, and a large family of Christian friends. Bob was a 1952 graduate of Little Falls High School. He has had a lifelong love of music, especially from the big band era. In high school, he was a percussionist in the marching band, orchestra and jazz ensemble and later in the Little Falls Civic Band and Orchestra. Throughout his adult life, he made annual trips to Little Falls Canal Days where he enjoyed reconnecting with his classmates, friends and fellow musicians at the Ann Street Deli. Bob received his Civil Engineering degree from the Indiana Institute of Technology. Bob was employed as an engineer by General Electric in Utica, NY, Decatur, IL, and RCA in Indianapolis, IN. He was last employed by Geupel De Mars Engineering, Indianapolis, IN. Bob was a model railroad enthusiast and spent many years working at the Train Express. In his home he constructed an O gauge scale layout of New York State’s Mohawk Valley and replicated the New York Central rail lines of the region. He continued to enjoy and support Big Band music and concerts as long as he lived. Bob enjoyed bird watching, and the WFYI British Telly club and playing a good hand of bridge. Bob shared his love of bridge through bridge groups from Pleasant View and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches, Indianapolis. He loved his Brooklyn/LA Dodgers, the Notre Dame football team and Indiana basketball. The true love of Bob’s life was his wife and partner, to he was married for 48 years. Carol developed MS and for many of their later years Bob provided total care for her. Carol shared Bob’s interests and they were able to enjoy an active social life until this past year. Bob’s Lutheran faith was an important part of his life and included an active life with Holy Trinity Lutheran in New York and Pleasant View Lutheran in Indianapolis. Bob was currently an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Indianapolis in which the Service of Christian Burial for him will take place Monday, October 6, 2014 beginning with visitation at 11:00 a.m. followed by the service at 12 noon. Friends are invited to share thoughts and memories of Bob at the luncheon following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 526 E. 52nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205. Arrangements are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel. www.shirleybrothers.com.

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J. Robert "Bob" O'Brien

February 26, 1935 - September 28, 2014