Robert Eldridge

Robert Eldridge, Sr., 93, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2018. Bob is survived by two brothers, Thomas Eldridge and Patrick Eldridge and five children: Beverly Winter, Maureen Eldridge, Nancy (Keith) Markey, Tim (Margaret) Eldridge and Ann Barker. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, two sons, Robert Jr. and Terrance and one great-grandchild. Born in 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was the middle child of nine children of Walter and Anna Erin Eldridge. Growing up during the Great Depression, he provided additional household income from grade school through high school by delivering both the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Gazette newspapers. At St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix he enjoyed public speaking and drama and he played the lead role in his senior play. As a Merchant Mariner in World War II, he experienced attacks by enemy aircraft and submarines and he encountered fierce storms. He received his commission as Third Officer. After the war, Bob attended Arizona State College in Tempe. In 1947, he began his employment with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in Phoenix, Arizona as a payphone coin box collector. Taking advantage of every promotion offered him, he accepted management positions in Denver, Colorado, New York City and Phoenix, Arizona. As District Sales Manager, Bob managed 200 employees in seven states. He was President of the East Denver Kiwanis Club. He retired in 1984 after the divestiture of AT&T from the Bell Operating Companies. As a longtime Vincentian and usher at St. Theresa Catholic Church, his volunteer activities included delivery of food boxes to families in need. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 11, 2018 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Theresa Conference, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix AZ 85018. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.