Robert Franklin Karcher
October 25th, 1929 – October 30th, 2024
Robert Franklin Karcher, age 95, passed away on October 30, 2024, at Tidewell Care Center at Village on the Isle in Venice, Florida following his battle with cancer.
Robert (Bob) was born on October 25, 1929 to John and Mildred Karcher in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating from F.J. Reitz High School, Bob received a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1951. After college, he worked briefly at Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, followed by employment at Bucyrus-Erie in Evansville. He concluded his career at the Naval Weapons Support Center in Crane, Indiana, where he worked for 31 years until his retirement in 1994.
Bob moved to Auburndale, FL in 1997, where he resided until 2023. Throughout the years, Bob enjoyed going on numerous worldwide cruises, along with fishing in Alaska, attending NASCAR races, and reading.
Bob is survived by his children, Robert Karcher (Donna), Wendee Woods (Andy), Scott Karcher (Laura), and Krista Karcher (Thad Allen); his grandchildren, Todd Powell, Nicole Boldt, Steven Woods, Sam Karcher, Abby Toppe and Tristan Allen; 8 great-grandchildren, sister Carolyn Purkiser, and nephews Bobby and Mark Purkiser. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and special companion Edna Mattingly.
He will be buried at Auburndale Memorial Park Cemetery in Auburndale, FL. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tidewell Foundation in his name at Tidewellfoundation.org, or mailed to 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239.
