Robert "Bob" H. Chidester

Robert (Bob) H. Chidester, a resident of Cary, NC passed to heaven’s glory on Friday October 20, 2017. He was born September 13, 1926 in Columbus, Ohio to La Claire and Florence Teal Chidester. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Joanne, his beloved second wife Gladys, and by his parents. He is survived by four children from the first marriage, all who live in the Milwaukee, WI area: son, Jack (Mary) Chidester, daughter, Trish (Kevin) Collins, son, Mark Chidester, and daughter, Jennifer (River) Mansavage: 4 step-children; Charles (Pat) Wiedeman of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Ruth Ann (Fred) Camplin of Cary, NC, Karen Holmquist of Reston, Virginia and Bill (Ginger) Holmquist of Florida; 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 10 step-grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren, 7 step great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 siblings in Ohio; brother, Tom Chidester, sister, Mary (Charles) Ackley and his lady friend, Ruby Carpenter of Fuquay-Varina.

Shortly after graduating from Grandview Heights High School in Columbus, Ohio Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Italy during the early post war period (1945-1947) as an occupational troop. Upon fulfilling his military obligation he attended Ashland University in Ohio and Carroll College, now University, in Wisconsin. Over the next 46 years he worked in Milwaukee WI as a Department Manager for J.P. Waite Inc. and family owned Chidester Hardware Stores, from which he retired in September 1994. Bob loved music and was a member of the Cudworth Male Chorus in Milwaukee for many years. Bob and Gladys moved to Cary, NC after his retirement and resided at 309 Boltstone Court. While living in Wisconsin they attended Elmbrook Church and were well known for their volunteer work. That tradition continued when they joined Crossroads Fellowship in Raleigh, serving in Stephen Ministry and bible study groups. Bob will always be remembered as an encourager along the lines of 1 Thessalonians 5:11a “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”. Any conversation ended with words intended to inspire and brighten a person’s day. He attended Bible Study Fellowship for over 20 years, applying much of what he learned to his energetic life, while embracing Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” as his credo. While he volunteered for many worthwhile causes his favorite service was to the ministry of Christian Library International (CLI). This mission supplies wholesome books to over 1500 prisons in the United States. In addition to preparing books for shipment Bob was involved in communicating with the incarcerated to encourage them through personal notes and participation in their in-prison Bible studies.

A celebration of Bob’s life will take place on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads Fellowship, 2721 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604, reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Crossroads Fellowship, or Christian Library International; 4724 Hargrove Rd Ste 100. Raleigh, NC 27616.

Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral 200 SE Maynard Rd. Cary, NC 27511.

Online condolences can be submitted at www.brownwynne.com