EIDSON, ROBERT W.

Robert W. “Bob” Eidson, 78, Springfield, passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South.

Mr. Eidson was born in St. Louis, Mo., on May 1, 1923, the son of the late Robert Valentine Eidson and Ida Alma Morgan Eidson. He was a retired 38-year employee of Southwestern Bell. Mr. Eidson was a founding member of the East Grand Church of Christ where he served as elder and Sunday school teacher.

While serving his country in the Marines he was a member of the Third Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal. He also saw action on Russell Island, Marshall Island, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star and again served his country during the Korean War.

During the broadcast of Ozark Jubilee he was the transmission engineer. Mr. Eidson was a member of many civic organizations and was interested in the welfare of Springfield.

Mr. Eidson was preceded in death by a brother, William Eidson; and a sister, Lydia Budelovich.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Vivian (Bradley) Eidson; two daughters, Judee Brown and her husband, Frank, Fort Worth, Texas, and Kristine Christlieb and her husband, Terry, Trophy Club, Texas; a brother, Jerry M. Eidson and his wife, Dorothy, Camdenton, Mo.; his sisters, Jean Sullivan and her husband, Pat, Sun Lake, Ariz., Freda Glose, Buffalo, Mo., and Dorothy Prugger and her husband, John, Springfield; his grandchildren, Robert, Lennlee, Nicholas, and Joseph; and great-grandsons, Noah, and Jacob.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001, in Ayre Goodwin Lee Funeral Home at Rivermonte Chapel. Burial will be at a later date in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 in the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fairhaven Children’s Home, Strafford, Mo. and can be left at the funeral home.