Robert (Bob) Herman Erdmann was a WWII child, born in 1938 and raised in southern Illinois. He was 7 years old when the war ended in 1945. He grew up in the post-war bubble when peace and prosperity reigned in the western world.
From childhood, there was never a doubt in Bob’s mind that he wanted to be an engineer. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri, he followed his passion for steel making, which caused his migration to Ohio to work for Timken Roller Bearing Co., which also supplied bearings to railroads. This introduced him to railroading, which became one of his great lifelong loves. This led him beyond commercial interests, having a love of fast trains that took him and Nancy to Japan, China, Europe, and beyond. He went on to work for American Koyo and Hyatt Clark Industries. In 1986, he founded Trinity Equipment Company, a sales and distribution agency in Cleveland, Ohio, concentrating on the nationwide sales of parts for railroad cars and locomotives. He actively ran Trinity for more than 25 years, retiring in his early 70’s. Trinity continues to thrive to this day.
Bob served on a number of boards that promoted Christian values in education and mission activities. He had a special part in promoting and establishing a Christian school, The King’s Academy, where his three children, Lynne Liptak (Scott), Mark Erdmann (Mindy), and Sarah Davis (Shann) were educated. He also served as a church elder at Christ the King church in North Olmstead, OH for many years.
Bob had an intense interest in whether God liked what he did for a living. When he first became a passionate believer in Jesus, people would say to him, “You should be a pastor”. Bob wasn’t called to be a pastor but an engineer, and he loved what he did. Many hours of looking into Bible passages caused him to write the book, The Call to Work. His study convinced him that God loved his work as an engineer and salesman, and would use his efforts to share His love with those he came in contact with.
Bob loved working with wood and made many pieces of furniture following in the footsteps of his father, Albert Erdmann. His mother, Ruth Erdmann prayed for wisdom for him over her lifetime. His passion for encouraging others grew out of her prayers. He has two sisters; Lois Sikorski, who has preceded him to heaven, and his younger sister, Carol Westbrook, who continues to be a joyous part of our lives!
Bob and Nancy have nine grandchildren (three of them married) & three great-grandsons, and just celebrated 57 years of marriage this past July.
What mattered most for Bob was that he served the Lord well, that Jesus be lifted up in all he said and did, and that the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer be pursued. The love of God pervaded all he was! We look forward to our reunion with him in heaven one day.
The memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh NC. The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube, which will be live the day of the service, through this link https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellFuneralHomeatRMP
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to God Cares Ministry (https://godcaresministry.com/donate/) which equips God’s people to help nursing home residents find hope in Jesus. If you choose to give, please make note in the comments that it is for the Bob Erdmann Memorial Fund.
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