Robert Thomas Lovelace

Robert Thomas Lovelace, 88, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Community South Hospital in Greenwood, Indiana. Robert, better known as Bob, was born on April 25, 1935, in Middletown, Ohio, to the late S. Samuel Lovelace and the late Carrie Mae (Dyer) Lovelace.

Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol Ann (Verry) Joachim. He is also survived by his daughter, Lisa (Manny) Lozano; stepson, Kevin Joachim; step-daughter, Kelly Joachim; brother Raymond “Ed” (Suzi) Lovelace; and nephews, Brian (Kathy) Lovelace, Scott (Casey) Lovelace, and Todd (Laura) Lovelace, as well as many beloved friends and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his brother Richard “Dick” Lovelace.

Bob fondly remembered his youth in Middletown, spending summers on his grandparents’ farm, participating in Boy Scouts, and hanging out with the neighbor boys who became lifelong friends. After his family moved to Indianapolis, Bob graduated from Broad Ripple High School where he played basketball and ran track. His nickname was “Speedy.” After attending Anderson College, Bob served his country in the United States Air Force where he trained as a medical equipment technician, later specializing in dental equipment. He worked for several dental supply and repair companies in Indianapolis, including T.M. Crutcher and Ryker Dental Depot, before establishing his own independent business, Lovelace Dental Service. Bob greatly enjoyed serving many dental practices in Greenwood and on the southside of Indianapolis. He considered the dentists, hygienists, and office assistants to be close friends, and he dedicated himself to providing them with the best service possible. His final service call was just four months before he passed away.

Bob had many skills and hobbies, including woodcarving, playing the piano, ballroom dancing, reading, and antiquing. He was an excellent handyman, and he loved to take care of his yard. It wasn’t until he reached the age of 85 that he finally gave up his push mower for a John Deere riding mower. He did his own landscaping and kept a thriving vegetable garden in the backyard for many years. He loved to sit on the swing in his screened-in porch to admire his handiwork, to visit with dear friends and family, and to enjoy some peace and quiet. Undoubtedly, though, Bob’s passion was stamp collecting. His collection spanned decades of acquisition. He relished every aspect of the hunt: researching the history, swapping stories at trade shows, inspecting the placement and color and detail of each stamp, and finally mounting and organizing each find as a work of art.

The son of a minister, Bob grew up in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). Over the years, he was a faithful member of the communities at East 10th Street, Garfield Park, and Meridian Street, where he sang in several Gospel quartets and worship teams. He loved to harmonize on both classic and contemporary hymns, finding in music great inspiration to live his Christian faith.

A private graveside service will be held for Bob at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Greenwood, Indiana. A dinner and gathering to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at Southland Community Church, 5800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, Indiana 46142, on Saturday, August 19 at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 11550 N. Meridian St., Carmel, Indiana 46032 or to Southland Community Church.

Arrangements are by the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana.