Robert Blaydes

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
BLAYDES

Robert Harry Blaydes, 58, of Delphi, Ind., passed away Aug. 10, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette from a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born Aug. 14, 1949 in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Robert B. and Jenny (Lindh) Blaydes

Bob was a 1967 graduate of Roachdale High School and played baseball and basketball there. In 1972, he graduated from Purdue University and was a member of the Purdue Baseball team. During that time, he also played summer baseball for semi-pro teams in Danville, Plainfield and Staunton, Ind.

He also played Connie Mack baseball in 1966 and 1967 on Plainfield's C & E Drug team. Through these experiences he developed many friendships and fond memories. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his profession as an educator while he worked in the Lebanon Community School system as a P.E. teacher and 8th grade basketball coach.

He then moved to the Clinton Prairie Community School System at the start of the '75-'76 school year. There he was a teacher, freshman basketball coach, JV basketball coach, and varsity basketball coach. He also coached the varsity baseball team. His association with the Clinton Prairie School System was through the 1994 school year.

He then moved to the Knox Community School System as a teacher and varsity basketball coach. From 1998 until spring of 2007, he was athletic director for the Delphi Community School System and was the High School Key Club Sponsor, retiring in the spring of 2007.

His memberships included various coaching associations, Delphi Kiwanis Club, where he was a Charter Member and Past President. He formerly attended Manson Congregational Christian Church. Bob was an old movie buff, especially Gene Autry movies. The loves of his life were family, fishing and coaching.

Survivors include his wife Suzanne Blaydes of Delphi; two daughters: Amy Blaydes of Frankfort, and Becky (Randie) Dial and children Carter, Cayleigh, and Cora of Lebanon; three stepsons: Kent (Marie Hunley) Wien and son Tanner of West Lafayette, Mark (Erin) Wien and children Logan, Camden and Kendall of Carmel, and Matt (Erika) Wien and son Tatian of Walnut, Calif.; two brothers: Jeffrey O. (Judy) Blaydes of Coatesville, and Fred E. (Denise Gentry) Blaydes of Roachdale; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3-8 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home, Frankfort.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial services will be in Roachdale at 3 p.m.

The family asks in lieu of flowers that memorials in memory of Bob be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, envelopes will be available. Online condolences may be made at goodwinfuneralhome.com