Robert "Bob" Joe Turpin

Robert J. “Bob” Turpin, 83, of Evansville, left us on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. He passed away at his home in his sleep Wednesday afternoon with his family by his side. He was born June 10, 1933, in Princeton, to the late Arvel and Edith Turpin.

He attended Princeton High School until 1949 and finished at Central High School in 1951. Bob played varsity baseball in high school, as well as with the Junior American Legion in both Princeton Post #25 and Evansville Funkhauser Post 8. After high school, Bob joined the US Navy, where he was a medic in the Korean War and spent time in South Carolina and San Diego. Using his GI Bill, Bob went to Evansville College, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Education. Bob coached varsity basketball at Mt. Olympus and New Harmony for two years and then spent the next 27 years in the EVSC teaching at Columbia, Tekoppel, Harwood, Thompkins and finished at Dexter. Bob won two city titles, one at Tekoppel and the other at Harwood, going undefeated both championship years.

Bob was an avid golfer and was a member of the Fendrich’s Men’s Club. He was a member of VFW Post 1114, Trinity United Methodist Church, The National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame, The Evansville Outlaws Semi-Pro Baseball Parents Club, and the Greater Evansville Basketball Hall of Fame. After he retired from EVSC, Bob worked part time for the Vanderburgh County Superior Court Juvenile Division as a transportation officer.

Bob and his wife, Sharon, spent 43 years together traveling to Italy and Hawaii, along with countless other vacations and cruises. Together as happy grandparents, they spent the last few years following their grandson, Taylor, around the tri-state to many baseball tournaments. Bob was there for every homerun Taylor hit. Together with their best friends, the Watson’s, Bob took part in many clabber card clubs and being a helping hand in T & W Antique’s adventures. He was an avid Aces basketball fan. Finally, before he took ill, Bob spent over ten years delivering for Meals on Wheels.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvil and Edith Turpin; son, J. David Turpin; and brothers, Jimmy and Jerry Turpin.

Bob is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon (Sullivan) Turpin; precious dog, Princess; son, Tim Turpin and his fiancé, Melissa Scherer of Evansville; grandson, Taylor Turpin of Princeton; brother, Ray (Jonell) Turpin; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of Evansville.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Dr. Todd Gile, with burial in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM and Tuesday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Greater Evansville Ball Hall of Fames (GEBHOF), 4609 Saybrook Drive, Evansville, IN 47711, to Trinity United Methodist Church, or to Meals on Wheels. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.