ROBERT HOWARD "BOB" PEDLER

Robert Howard "Bob" Pedler, age 76, of Tallahassee, FL passed away Saturday morning, October 8, 2016 in Tallahassee. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church 120 W. Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL; Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 1:00 PM. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the Moore Hall of the church. Family will receive friends at Evans-Skipper Funeral Home 909 South Tennille Ave. Donalsonville, GA; Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM. The service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at Friendship Cemetery 209 West 12th Street, Donalsonville, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson Outreach Association PO Box 14722 Tallahassee, FL 32303. Robert Howard Pedler (Bob) a descendant of the first Mormon settlers of Utah, was born on the British Island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 1, 1940. His father had been employed 11 years as a research chemist for the Cyprus Mining Corporation, an American firm. Bob was only five weeks old when his parents boarded an American Export Line Freighter, one of the last United States ships to leave the European war zone. He arrived in Jersey City July 17th and the New York Herald Tribune featured his picture with mom headlining "7 week old war refugee", youngest American refugee, to flee Europe's war zone. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Howard Pedler and his mother Elizabeth Achuff Pedler. His passing October 8, 2016 leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Janice Palmer Pedler and two children, a son Stefan Howard Pedler and wife Kristen and a daughter Frances Pedler Christopher and husband Jimmy; his grandchildren, Anna Marie Pedler, Kali Christopher, Dillinger Pedler and one on the way. He is also survived by Charlotte Palmer Maxey and husband Richard, Riley Palmer and wife Diane, Morris Palmer and wife Teri, and many nieces and nephews. Bob was a proud husband, father, grandpa, and friend. He will be dearly missed. Bob was a wonderful man, he loved life and was extremely kind and funny. Bob lived in Mulberry, FL; Hibbing, MN; and Tallahassee, FL. He graduated from Florida High School in 1958. Bob served in the US Army Reserve from November 1958 to November 1966 as a Staff Sergeant, Engineer in charge of Transportation. He worked at Tallahassee Federal and FSU Computer Center. He and his wife owned the Curiosity Shop on Gaines Street and later opened Pedler's Antique Mall on Capital Circle N.E. Bob courageously lived well with Parkinson's disease over 16 years after he was diagnosed. He and his wife were very involved with the local Parkinson's organization since it began in 2005. One thing they offered advice to people living with Parkinson's was if they wanted to travel not to put it off. Listening to their own advice, they purchased a motor home in 2004 and traveled throughout the United States and Canada over the next 6 years. Janice was behind the wheel and Bob read the maps. This decision to travel led to a fulfilled life. The family is thankful to the staff at St. Augustine Assisted Living where he lived the past two and half years. The Big Bend Hospice gave supportive care and support during the final days of his life.