Robert “Bob” Harold Bridges, 65, of Beaumont, passed away Sunday, August 14, 2011, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas in Beaumont after an eight month battle with lung cancer.

Bob was born September 5, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his early years, he attended school in Anderson Township.  He later trained to become a machinist and started out plying his trade for Cincinnati Millicron and later General Electric.  In 1975 he moved to Beaumont, Texas where he worked for NL Shaffer.  After many years of honing his craft he opened his own shop in Orange, Texas known as Bridges Machine and Driveshaft where he worked until he retired in 2007.  As a true child of the ‘50’s he loved music and fast cars which continued throughout his life, becoming two of his favorite hobbies, listening to oldies on the radio and restoring old cars. Bob also enjoyed spending many seasons planting and tending a wide variety of plants in his yard.  He could grow anything. He had a gift.  Bob was also a Master Mason and a lifetime member of Lodge 286 in Beaumont, Texas. 

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Wilma Christine Bridges of Beaumont, Texas; his daughter, Donna Conner and her husband, Chad of Rockland, Texas; his son, Robert Bridges and his wife, Rhonda of Manvel, Texas; his four grandchildren, Jessica Mitchell and Austin Conner of Rockland, Texas, Bailey Bridges and Karli Bridges of Manvel, Texas; his great-grandson, Casey Ryan Mitchell of Rockland, Texas; his father, Carl Bridges of St. Albans, West Virginia; and two sisters, Janet Friend of Holbrook, New York and Carol Cummings of West Virginia.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Bridges; and his brother, Gerald William Bridges.

The family would like to sincerely thank all Bob’s caregivers, especially Dr. Birdwell, Dr. Clayton, Dr. Garlitos, Dr. Michael Smith, Dr. Sueoka and all staff at Baptist Hospital.

His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 21, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2011, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, P.O. Drawer 1591, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

John 14:2

“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”