Robert Charles Ford II
Born on June 23, 1953 in Kokomo, Indiana.Passed away September 15, 2026 in Melbourne, Florida
Robert “Bob” Charles Ford II, 73, of Melbourne, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 15, 2026. Bob was born on June 23, 1953 in Kokomo, IN to Robert “Bob” and Betty (Young) Ford. He was the last of 4 children and survived by his three sisters Dixie (Butch) Lieurance and Connie (Ray) Ackerman of Palm Bay, and Penelope (James) Martin of Melbourne. Bob graduated from Haworth High School in 1971 where he ran cross country. From high school, he went to Indiana University of Kokomo where he met his beloved wife, Ann, from Bedford, IN. From there he went to Indiana University in Bloomington where he attained his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1975. Bob and Ann were married days shy of their 45th wedding anniversary when Ann passed unexpectedly in 2021. They had 3 children Aimee Adele, Amanda Brooke, and Dr. Robert “Bobby” Charles III. In 1977 they moved to Melbourne, FL where they raised their family. Bob attained his Masters of Science in Business Management from Florida Tech in 1983. 
His career began at Harris in 1977 where he worked in defense contracts. Over the years, he worked in executive positions with DRS, GE, and Alstom where he retired from in 2023. Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bob and Betty, his in-laws Doyle and Adele Cobb, and his wife, Ann. He is survived by daughters Aimee (Dave) Larkin, Amanda (Shannon) Sturgil; son Bobby (Holly) Ford; grandchildren Madison Ann-Adele (Brandon) Whitlock (27), Christian Kai Reeves (Paris) Whitlock (24), Shaelen Louise Whitlock (20), Skylar Ashley Sturgil (16), Brooklyn Ann Sturgil (16), Laken Frances Whitlock (12), Abigail Rose Ford (11), Charlotte Elizabeth Ford (10), Robert “Charlie” Charles Ford IV (8); great-grandchildren Jesiah Matey (8), Roman Ford (5), Declan Joseph (7mo), Chloe Noelle (6), and another on the way. Bob has many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, 3 Aunts all in their 90s, and lifelong best friends all of whom were very special to him. Along with his 2 “boys” as he called them, Tuxedo and Levi.
Bob was always making someone laugh with his dry humor, quick wit, and sarcasm. He loved his Indiana basketball, most recently Indiana Football, “Go Hoosiers”, ’70s music, John Cougar Mellencamp, road trips, a cold beer, golf, and quality time spent making everyone laugh with his family and friends. Bob spent a few months in the hospital as of late, he knew the nurses, techs, therapists, cleaning people all by their names and the families they had. Bob was Dad and/or Popop to his family, he and his grandkids all had a nickname of some sort along with his secret handshake. Family was always very important to Bob, he will be missed beyond measure. In the end, Bob was ready to be reunited with his bride, as he would say.
“Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one” -Bobby Knight
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family would love for you to donate to the Ann Adele Ford Memorial
Nursing Scholarship through Indiana University of Kokomo (IUK) where Ann attained her
Associates of Science in Nursing and Bachelors of Science in Nursing degrees. Bob was very
proud to be able to set this up in her honor and have it continue on into perpetuity. If you feel
you can donate, please go to the following link:
Ann Adele Ford Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Services:
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
1710 Hickory St
Melbourne, FL 32901
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Visitation 12:30-1pm
Service starts promptly at 1pm
Reception to follow at Bob’s Home.
Family and friends please contact Bob’s kids for the gate code
