Robert L. Holler (91) of Salem, Indiana passed May 06, 2021.
On the day of his death, Bob said, “People always asked me what my hobbies were. I didn’t have time for hobbies. I’m a people person. I like to be with people!” For a man like Bob Holler, his legacy has been written through decades of living his life in “service over self”. In service to the Lord. In service to his family. In service to his community.
Bob Holler was very proud to have been born in Saltillo, Indiana on October 31, 1929. His parents were Orra Otho and Ida Irene (Clark) Holler, and siblings Ralph and Juanita. He married Mary Evelyn (Mayden) July 3, 1955.
In 1950, Bob joined the Air Force. He was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In 1953, Bob was at McChord Field in Tacoma, Washington awaiting shipment to Korea. While there, he contracted Polio in his right leg. He then served as a clerk for the Air Force until medically discharged. This set his life on a new course, bringing him home to marry Evelyn.
In 1955, Bob and Evelyn began a long career of partner ownership of Bennett’s Clothing and Shoes where they worked side by side until their retirement in 1994. They enjoyed mentoring and leading staff that became like family.
Bob was a member of First Christian Church in Salem where he served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Board, and numerous committees. One of his favorite places to serve was in jail ministry and addiction recovery. Bob also pastored at Blue River Friends for nearly 50 years, until he stepped down to care for Evelyn in her last years.
She preceded him in death on August 17, 2017.
Bob received numerous awards throughout his life for his service to the community. His many honors culminated in the creation of an award for him. In 2000, he was given the Citizen of the Century award by the Washington County Community Foundation.
A favorite of Bob’s volunteer organizations was Rotary International. He loved the love meetings and fellowship so much that he never missed a meeting. Even on his annual family vacation to Daytona Beach, he attended the local meeting there.
Bob never met a stranger and loved all the he met. But above all, he treasured his family. In 1961, Bob and Evelyn’s only daughter Robin Lee was born. In 1981, Robin married Bob Myers. In true Bob Holler fashion of love and acceptance, during their wedding he said, “We give Robin to Bob and take Bob as our son.” Bob and Evelyn’s pride and joys came with the birth of their grandchildren Nathen (Elizabeth) and Mallory (Jameson). Their greatest joy came with the birth of Mallory and Jameson’s son, Ridge, their one and only great-grandchild.
If a hobby had to be chosen for Bob, it would without a doubt be gardening. Even with that, it was not just for himself. He used his three gardens to provide produce to anyone who wanted it. He was known to drop veggies on doorsteps and gave open invitation to everyone to pick what they wanted.
Bob modeled so much of Romans 12 with his life. Verse 3: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Verse 11: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” And one of the many reasons he could love other so well, Verse 15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” He was so full of empathy that he could truly feel with others. Bob was with many people during their highest and lowest days, earning him the unofficial job description of “Marry and Bury” Pastor. Bob Holler’s life and legacy will not soon be forgotten and will ripple through generations of the countless people he loved, served, and led to Christ. He is now reunited with so many of them and awaiting the arrival of so many more in Heaven. We KNOW he was given a Matthew 25:3 welcome by Jesus. His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
Visitation will be Monday, May 10, 2021 at Weathers Funeral Home from 3:00-7:00PM. Funeral service will be at Blue River Friends, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make a donation to the Bob Holler Scholarship Fund or the Holler/Myers Fund, both established through The Washington County Community Foundation.
