COLUMBUS
Robert Vincent (RV) Welmer of Columbus, age 94, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022, at Tidewell Hospice Center in Bradenton, Florida, with loving family by his side.
Born in Jonesville, Indiana, on February 22, 1928, Bob was the son of Gusta and Gladys Vincent Welmer. The family moved to Columbus when he was a little boy. He attended Wilson Grade School-Middle School and Columbus High School, where he graduated in 1947. Bob was the Class President in his junior and senior years, excelling in basketball and baseball. He was a three-year starter in basketball, setting sectional and regional scoring records, the Columbus gym record at the time, and leading the South Central Conference in scoring his senior year. As a senior he also was an alternate for the 1947 Indiana High School All-Star team.
Bob attended Tulane University and then the University of Cincinnati on basketball scholarships and graduated in 1951 from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After graduation he taught at Scipio and Crothersville High Schools for a few years.
He then became a field representative for Mayflower Transit Company for three years and serviced the Midwest, Eastern, and Southern areas. For a time he also owned Pasquales Pizza, the first carry-out pizza in Columbus. In 1960 Bob got into the beer business and was the owner of Barco Beverage until its closing in 1990. While in the beer business he reached the highest level of distributorship, and in 1980 was named to Schlitz Brewing Company’s Inner Circle.
Bob was an active participant and follower of sports throughout his adult life. For many years he was a player/manager for the Columbus Merchants baseball team. He also played on successful AAU basketball teams with players who went on to be members of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Bob, himself, was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
He was an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter, bowler, and card player. In May 1981 he carded a hole-in-one at Otter Creek Golf Course on hole #8. For many years he also avidly followed Indy Car racing and other racing events throughout the Midwest.
As an active member of the Columbus community, Bob was honored by being named Grand Marshall of the Columbus Day Parade in 1984, was a Special Deputy with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, was presented the “Making A Difference” award in 2021 by Sheriff Matt Myers, and was a lifetime member of the Eagles Club, Elks Club, and Moose Lodge. He served as chairman-organizer of the annual Elks Children’s Cancer Fund Golf Tournament for many years. In 2008 he was given the “Sagamore of the Wabash” honor by then Governor Mitch Daniels and even received a “Kentucky Colonel” award in 1999.
An event for which he was widely known was his annual “Welmer Fish Fry” that he held for 60 years in Columbus. Guests coming from across the state included basketball Hall of Fame members, college and high school coaches, former players from around Indiana, area and state politicians, along with his customers and many friends.
Family and friends became increasingly important to him as he aged. He annually hosted his family for Thanksgiving and would deep fry turkeys even before this was the popular thing to do. For years up until his death he hosted a small group of friends in his home for breakfast every Thursday morning—lots of sports talk! He also would vacation in Florida during the winter to enjoy the warm weather and spend time with family and friends who lived there.
Bob is survived by his sons Steve (Colleen) Welmer, Bradenton, FL; David (Luann) Welmer, Columbus, IN; and his daughter Susan St. John (Jim ) Walters, Columbus, IN. Grandchildren: Jimmy St. John, Missy (Rick) Snyder, Stephanie (Brandon) Farrell, Lydia and Elliott Welmer. Great Grandchildren: Dawson Hood; Graham, Kennedy, and Hudson Farrell; and longtime special, loving friend Norma Plummer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Blanche Welmer Davenport; and his son Gary Elliott Welmer.
In keeping with Bob’s wishes, his body was cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held for Bob on Sunday, April 3rd at the Eagles Club, 930 Washington St., Columbus. Calling will be from 12:00-3:00 p.m., with the Celebration of Life program at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Bob can be made to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
