Robert Alerding

ROBERT JAMES ALERDING OBITUARY Robert J. Alerding, 89 passed away April 1, 2010 in Indianapolis. He was born to Ralph B. Alerding and Flora V. Bany Alerding in Indianapolis on April 3, 1920 graduated from St. Philip Neri grammar school in 1934 and Tech High School in 1938 and attended Indiana University at Indianapolis. Bob served in the Army in WW II, being discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain, and then served another three years in the Indiana National Guard with the rank of Major. Prior to WW II, he was an accomplished horseman and authored a non-published book on horsemanship. While serving in the Army in September 1944, Bob married the beautiful Margaret T. Hicks of Richmond VA and moved to Indianapolis in 1946. God blessed them with seven children, Robert James (Laura), Michael Patrick (Mary Ellen, Deceased), Thomas Francis (deceased 2006), Ann Elizabeth (Fitch), Joseph Phillip (Ame?), Mary Clare (John) (Schaffner) and Margaret Theresa (Mark) (Horton). Margie died in 1963 at the age of 39 and Bob devoted all of his efforts and energy to raising his children. Bob is now blessed with (17) grandchildren and (23) great grandchildren. He was employed by Insley Ma...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

acturing in Indianapolis for 40 years, retiring as Corporate Secretary and VP of Finance. He was a 55-year member and past President of Financial Executives International and served as national chairman of the Construction Machinery Credit Association. In addition to his family duties, Bob spent his life in the service of the Indianapolis community and the Catholic Church. His civic and charitable activities included numerous volunteer leadership roles, including as a member of the Board, Audit Committee and Rate Review Committee of Blue-Cross, Blue-Shield during its formative years. He was a 23-year member of the advisory board of St. Vincent Hospital, served ten years as chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of St. Vincent?s Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee. He was a 55-year member and past President of the Indianapolis Athletic Club, a member of the 702 Club and served on the board of the IAC Sports Foundation. He was a co-founder and 40- year member of the Board of Directors of The Talbot House, a home for alcoholic men, worked several years with the Indianapolis Community Fund and was a charter member of the Meridian Hills Kiwanis Club. For several years, he also conducted Catholic prayer services twice monthly for the prisoners of the Marion County jail. In recognition of his many years of service to Indianapolis and Indiana, he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by the governor of Indiana in 1991. Bob worked tirelessly for the Catholic Church throughout his entire life. He and Margie were charter members in 1958 of St. Matthew parish, where he continued as a member for 50 years and served as the parish sacristan and in many other capacities for 35 years. He was a member of the Board of Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House and a member of the advisory council of the former Alverna Retreat House. He was a secular Franciscan as a 58-year member of the Third Order of St. Francis and past President, District Governor and 57-year member of the Serra Club of Indianapolis. He was affiliated with the Religious Order of Women, The Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Women?s Religious Order, The Daughters of Charity St. Vincent DePaul. In 1991 he was named the outstanding graduate of his 100 year old St. Philip Neri grammar school. He was a third and fourth degree Knight of Columbus and for 14 years he served as chairman of the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Council. In 1972 he was invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and knighted as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1982 he was invested in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and knighted as a Knight of Malta by John Cardinal O?Connor at St. Patrick?s Cathedral in NYC. Bob was a member of the Board of Retirement Living, the owner of Marquette Manor, where he resided since 1999, and was its Treasurer and a member of the Catholic Chapel Committee where he conducted communion services for many years. Although struck with complete blindness in 2000, Bob never complained about his plight and learned to be self-sufficient in most respects in his later years. Bob?s dearest friend for many decades was Mary Patricia (Pat) Cronin. Bob held a special place in his heart for Pat, who visited him almost daily for over 40 years. Her loving care and loyal dedication was something that Bob cherished and sincerely appreciated. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday April 7, 2010 at 10:00 am in St. Matthew Catholic Church with family and friends gathering at church on Tuesday April 6, 2010 From 4:00 to 8:00 pm. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Bob, sign the guest book or in lieu of flowers memorial contribution can be made to the Little Sisters of the