H.E. “Bob” Puder, 93, of Gainesville, FL, due to natural causes, crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, on March 1, 2023, where, because of the saving grace of Christ, he will enjoy the beauties of Heaven forever.
Bob was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to John Godfrey Puder and Birdie Lee Knowles Puder on January 17, 1930, and lived there until 1946 when the family moved back to the States.
Living in Augusta, GA, he graduated from the Junior College of Augusta and the Academy of Richmond County in 1948.
Bob married Jean Annette Bowick in Augusta, GA in 1951. He bought a ticket from her for the You All Ball and that led to 70 years of their life together.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University on the G.I. Bill.
After living in Augusta, Atlanta and Winter Park, Florida, where Bob worked for Southeastern Hardware, Keystone Wholesale Hardware and Wickwire Spencer Steel they moved to Gainesville. Bob began working for the Crom Corporation in 1961 and was employed there for over 50 years.
Bob held several positions while at Crom: Project Manager, Area Manager, Director, and Senior Vice President. Quoting from a Crom advertisement in the Florida Water Resources Journal from March 2011 at his 50th Anniversary, “Bob’s leadership, along with his personal and business philosophy of honesty and integrity, has helped the Company to earn the respect it enjoys in the industry today.”
Bob and Jean married in the Lutheran Church, but after moving to Gainesville, the family became members of Highlands Presbyterian Church where Bob was Sunday school Superintendent, Elder, and high school Sunday school teacher. He loved organizing Rally Days, Easter egg hunts and Sunday school picnics. Later in life, Bob and Jean became members of First Lutheran Church.
Bob loved life and put his energy into whatever he was doing: spending time with his family, working, church, projects at home, singing, time at the beach, tennis, golf and even planting almost 18 acres of trees on family property.
Bob served in the Rotary Club and enthusiastically rang the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas.
He enjoyed several trips back to Buenos Aires with his sons, brothers and a nephew.
Bob was committed to Christ and the Gospel and was generous to others throughout his life supporting many Christian ministries and various charities.
Later in life, Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and courageously persevered as the disease progressed. In October 2016, he became a resident of Oak Hammock skilled nursing facility to be close to his beloved wife, Jean, after she entered the facility following a stroke in September 2016.
The family is thankful for and deeply appreciate all those at Oak Hammock who cared for him through all his different and difficult stages of life over the last 6+ years.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jackie Puder and Billy Puder, wife, Jean Puder, grandsons, Timothy Puder and Casey Puder, daughters-in-law, Kay Cunningham Puder and Lynne Batten Puder.
Bob is survived by his four children, Timothy H. Puder, John N. Puder, Alison P. Fell (Mike Fell), Amy G. Puder, four grandchildren, Maggie Avitabile (Joey Avitabile), Austin Fell (Michelle Granados Fell), Nathan Fell, Alice Ann Fell, three great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation beginning at 10:00 am followed by a graveside service at 11:00 am will be held at Forest Meadows Cemetery-Central on Monday, March 6, 2023 with Rev. Laurie Vidal officiating.
