Robert Patten Aldridge Jr.

Robert was born on June 14, 1939, in Richmond, Virginia to Ruth and Robert Aldridge.

Bob spent most of his formative years in North Carolina with his mother, and brothers, Michael and Steven. He was the eldest child and lost his father at 14 years of age. This formed his sense of responsibility and ultimately led him to join the United States Air Force. He was proud to be part of the ROTC program at the University of North Carolina and never wavered in his support of his beloved UNC Tarheels. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and began his post collegiate life as a journalist in Durham, NC. While at college he also participated in theater, band, fencing and enjoyed every social endeavor available to him. This may be where he learned to love dancing. He never hesitated to jump onto the dance floor and cut a rug and was quite good at it.

In the Air Force, he served as a fighter pilot and air traffic controller. He was stationed in many locations, including Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Louisiana, Germany, and lastly- Washington State. While visiting an old friend in North Carolina in 1968, he met Geanie Black and the two were married in early 1969. The two celebrated their nuptials at a chapel next door to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. They were blessed to welcome their only child in 1970, and he was in love with his daughter, Jonni (Aldridge) Ressler, from the moment she arrived.

After 20 years in the Air Force, Bob retired in 1982. He then went back to school to gain his second college degree; this one in Computer Science. He often spent afternoons studying with his teenaged daughter at the kitchen table. He then secured a new job with ConAgra Foods and a second career of nearly 20 years as a Database Programmer. He relished this experience as much as his first career. He then retired (again), and moved with his wife to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Arizona. They both made fast friends and enjoyed so many social activities with them. These friends became their chosen family over the next 20 years and have been tremendous sources of support in small and big ways.

Robert was a talented cook and would often spend hours perfecting a sauce or soup, and loved gathering with friends and family over a good meal. His daughter has never been able to replicate his perfect Pasta Carbonara, which he learned to cook on a training trip to Italy, but she will never stop trying.

Bob enjoyed science fiction, animation, crossword puzzles, and endless hours playing solitaire (with cards and digitally). He passed his love of words, nerd culture and all things silly to his daughter, Jonni. When she went to college, he gave her the book “Dune”, and two cassette tapes- Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens.

When Bob was younger, he enjoyed many physical endeavors including but not limited to playing tennis, sailing, skiing and was eager to take long road trips to see the country and visit friends and family. As he aged, he turned to golf and entirely relished all the years of camaraderie and competition at PebbleCreek.

He loved being a dad, even to the pets in his life- dogs were his preferred choice and after the last two dogs passed away, he said he wouldn’t be getting another because his heart could not bear to put another dog to sleep. Bob was a tall and seemingly stoic man; but he was more heart and sweetness than stoicism. He was the first to jump in to help a neighbor, or family member.

Bob was very proud of his wife, Geanie, as she experienced success in her career as he sat in large arenas absolutely beaming as she spoke to a venue of thousands. It was rare to see that kind of support for a successful businesswoman in the 1970s forward, but he was the President of the Geanie Aldridge Fan Club. This kind of pride extended to anything his daughter, or grandchildren chose to do.

Bob relished being a grandfather to his 2 grandchildren. The first born, Logan, named Robert “Gum Gum”, which he initially balked at, but came to cherish the moniker. He absolutely adored both Logan and Campbell. He was able to spend a good deal of time with both in the last years of his life, as they each prioritized spending the time with him. He would share stories, recount his travels and mishaps, and enjoyed precious time with them both. He will be remembered by them with much fondness.

Bob was a consummate conversationalist, and would frequently chat up service workers, nurses, grocery clerks and anyone else who would engage with him. His closest friends were no stranger to his gift for gab as Bob waxed on while they played Mexican train most Thursday evenings. A night of cocktails, games and stories along with the years of golf together left them all with a deeper connection which buoyed Robert as his health declined.

Bob loved music and had an extensive vinyl collection of LPs, which he converted to both reel to reel tape and digital format. His favorite music was jazz but he also enjoyed musicals, folk and classical. He took his own child to musicals when she was very young, and she has in turn done the same with his grandchildren. Being musical included singing in theater productions, in the church choir, and his ever present and complicated whistling. For most of his adult life, Bob could be heard whistling every waking moment. He was mostly unaware of this habit, though everyone else found it curious and endearing. He whistled complicated scores, pop songs and old hymns. His confident smooth sounds of “whoo” and “tweet” served as an ongoing soundtrack to his busy life will be missed terribly.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Robert Aldridge, his mother, Ruth Aldridge, and his youngest brother, Steven Aldridge.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Geanie Aldridge; his daughter Jonni Ressler (husband-Toby Ressler), his grandson Logan Ressler, his granddaughter Campbell Ressler and his younger brother Michael Aldridge (wife- Donna Aldridge).

Bob has left a gaping hole in his friend group as he is survived by his dearest friends, Robert Honson, Ed Neel and Ken Hahn.

A celebration of life for Robert will be held in early 2025 and details will be shared later. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his name. Any organization focused on the support, and healing of Vietnam Veterans was especially close to his heart.

However, he was particularly attached to the following non-profit organization: National Ambucs.

Ambucs Information is below:

• Website: www.ambucs.org

• Direct Donation Link: https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/31b2e2f5-dab4-4a00-a04f-360023b09677

o Please be sure to include the following in the donor note “In memory of Robert Aldridge, please use this donation for the care of Vietnam Veterans”

• Phone Number: 800-838-1845 x113

• Physical Address: PO Box 5127, High Point, North Carolina 27262