Robert Martin "Bob" Warren

Robert Martin (Bob) Warren died on September 13, 2024. He was born Feb 11, 1936, to Martin Roy Warren and Mary Belle (Montgomery) Warren. Bob attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School, and after graduation, served in the National Guard. He married Janette Hayden of Beech Grove on Oct 6, 1956, and together they spent sixty-six years that produced wonderful memories, nine children, twenty-two grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Bob’s character was the epitome of consistency. His entire career was spent at AT&T/ Bell South Telephone where he retired in 1997, after forty-three years. Initially worked as a lineman, but later began to repair electrical lines as a switchman in rural exchanges spread throughout a several-counties.

Bob loved to give back to his community. He was active in the Telephone Pioneers of America and served at “Christmas Wish” throughout the whole month of December for over twenty-five years. For over half a century Bob donated blood several times a year. His generosity in giving blood eventually helped spare his own life. In 2013 his blood donation allowed colon cancer to be detected very early. 

While very active at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, for decades Bob helped lead the music at Mass, served on the Parish Council, and was an integral part of the Church Picnic. He used his handyman skills to help maintain both the church building and the rectory.

Bob played the piano weekly for the Carmel Home residents from 1974, when his mother moved there, until 2010. He gladly and consistently served the elderly with his peppy music for thirty-seven years. After Bob’s wife died in February 2023, he moved to Cedarhurst Senior Living facility in Owensboro and continued to frequently play the piano for his co-residents there.

Bob was an avid woodworker. He created many pieces of fine furniture for his family, from large entertainment centers to sleigh beds and four-poster beds. He built an elaborate multi-level treehouse modeled after Walt Disney World’s Swiss Family Robinson. Many friends and family members still fondly recall that incredible treehouse. He wove hundreds of wicker baskets, turning round wooden bottoms for the basket’s base. His nested sets of round Nantucket baskets were works of art.

Bob’s kindness and generosity led him to create many gifts for family members and friends as well as for the church picnic and other fundraisers. He often gave breakfast trays for wedding presents and wooden chalices turned on his lathe for children’s First Communions. His workshop was frequently sprinkled with friends’ chairs or side tables needing repairing or refinishing.

Between working at the telephone company and raising nine kids, Bob also maintained a two hundred acre farm, raised cattle, milked two cows daily, and grew a very large vegetable garden. He and Janette square-danced with the Owensboro Merry Makers Club throughout the 1970’s.

Bob is survived by his and Janette’s nine children: Vicki (Steve) Van Becelaere of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bob (Holly) Warren II of Henderson, KY, Ginny (Jeff) Cowan of Naperville, Illinois, Tracy (Paul) Miller of Reed, KY, Fran (Chad) Lamb of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ted (Darla) Warren of Lexington, KY, Penny (Keith) Melton of Owensboro, Peg (Jamie) Tipmore of Owensboro, and Elizabeth Warren of Owensboro. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren: Heidi (Van Becelaere) Cece, Joe Van Becelaere, Whitney (Warren) Mangold, Taylor (Warren) Baldwin, Cheyenne (Warren) Branham, Presley Warren, Savannah Warren, Nick Cowan, Heath Cowan, Kristin Miller, Nolan Miller, Olivia (Miller) Ford, Ellen (Lamb) Adams, Isaac Lamb, Hannah Warren, Sara Warren, Oliver Melton, Elliot Melton, Isabella Tipmore, Jack Henry Tipmore, Kathryn Gist, and Robert Gist; and 15 (soon to be 17) great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his devoted and only sibling, Mary Ann Knott of Sorgho, along with many nieces and nephews.

The Warren family would like to thank the caring staff at the Heartford House and Cedarhurst for their loving care of Bob. They are also grateful to Kelly Husk, Bob and Janette’s personal caregiver and family friend the past two years.

The funeral mass for Bob will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Burial to follow in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with prayers at 7:30 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. 

Memories and condolences for the family of Bob Warren may be left at www.glenncares.com.

Messages and condolences for the family may be shared at www.glenncares.com.