Robert Ralston Chrisman Caldwell passed away March 25, 2010 at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
He was born Sept. 11, 1917 in Huntington, W.Va. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and served in the U.S. Navy.
He worked in the furniture business in Grand Rapids, Mich., and served as VP Sales and Director of John Thomas Batts, Inc. Mr. Caldwell served on the board of the J. L. Caldwell Co. and Dingess-Rum Properties, LLC.
He was an avid fisherman, boater, antique auto collector, model builder and consummate family man. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Patricia Clark Caldwell of Vero Beach; son, R. Chrisman Caldwell (Virginia) of Punta Gorda; daughter, Patricia Caldwell Bender (Philip) of Reno, Nev.; son, James Lewis Caldwell, IV (Barbara) of Birmingham, Mich.; daughter-in-law, Judith A. Caldwell of Vero Beach; grandsons: Robert C. Caldwell III of Middletown, Conn.; Brian T. Caldwell of Bozeman, Mont.; Philip M. Bender of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; and Jeffrey C. Bender (Yvette Durant) of Truckee, Calif.; granddaughters Jennifer M. Caldwell Chambers (Brett) of North Berwick, Maine; Lindsay A. Caldwell, Sarah E. Caldwell, Katherine L. Caldwell of Chicago; and Madeline J. Caldwell of Ann Arbor, Mich.; great-grandchildren Georgia Caldwell and Bruce P. Caldwell of Middletown, Conn.; Marina M. Bender and Ryan P. Bender of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; Marc Durant Bender and Maris Durant Bender of Truckee.
Mr. Caldwell was predeceased by his father, James Lewis Caldwell, II; mother, Mary Louise Chrisman Caldwell Armstrong; brother, James Lewis Caldwell III; son, Richard Clark Caldwell and grandson, Richard Clark Caldwell, Jr.
A private family service will be held in Vero Beach.
Memorial donations may be made to Indian River Medical Center Foundation, 1000 36th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960, VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, or the Harbor Branch, Oceanographic Institute, Inc. 5600 US 1 North, Ft Pierce, FL 34946.
