Mr. Robert Howard “Bob” Cunningham, III., age 66, of Pleasant, Indiana, entered this life on December 13, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of the late, Robert Howard Cunningham, II. and Patricia Ann (Boetticheer) Cunningham. Bob was raised in Hamilton County, Ohio and attended Brookville High School in Bracken County, Kentucky. As a young boy, Bob was raised on a farm where he loved riding horses. Bob was united in marriage on August 14, 2004 to Teresita “Tessie” Jugador in Ohio County, Indiana. Bob was employed in maintenance for the University of Cincinnati and as a fabricator for Consolidated Medal Products in Cincinnati, Ohio for several years. Along with his twin brother, Frank they were taught growing up the construction trade business. That instilled in him a hard work ethic and was an incredible craftsman that built beautiful homes along Laughery Creek Road in Dillsboro, Indiana. He also built businesses and homes in the Philippines with his wife, Tessie where he residence for 10 years. Bob later moved to the Switzerland County community where he built his forever home. Bob loved his cat, MingMing and was a kind man who never met a stranger in his lifetime. Bob passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, December 22, 2023 in Pleasant, Indiana. Bob’s life was very much like the houses he built. A strong foundation of his beliefs, surrounded by walls of love and kindness, topped by a roof of memories to help shield the legacy he leaves behind. This was Bob’s life house. The foundation is the ground floor of any building to provide strength and sturdiness for its longevity. The ground floor of Bob’s life house was built on being a strong man of faith in the Christian church. He raised his children within the church. He had a strong connection to the Mennonites and Amish communities where he worked alongside those communities to help enrich the lives around his view of a sturdy foundation based on his beliefs. This was a sturdy foundation for which the walls of Bob’s life house extended.
The walls of Bob’s life house imbedded a sense of love and kindness throughout. Bob was a loving husband to Tessie Cunningham; father to his five children, Shenna Cunningham of Aurora, IN, James Cunningham and his wife, Jennifer of Lawrenceburg, KY, Joseph Cunningham and his wife, Shanna of Bloomfield, IN, Lisa Cunningham and her spouse, Mike Kraft of Fairfield, OH and Mary Mansour and her husband, Nathaniel of Lebanon, OH; Bob even had enough love for his grandchildren, Luke Kraft, Bella Cunningham, Clayton Cunningham, Makenna Cunningham, Taylor Mansour, Ezekiel Mansour, Elainna Mansour and Eliza Mansour; Bob was a twin brother to, Frank Cunningham and his wife, Tracy of Bennington, IN; as well as a brother to, Barton Cunningham of Dillsboro, IN, Matt Cunningham of Batesville, IN, Bobbie Ruble and her companion, Richard Crocker of Batavia, OH and Cheryl Cunningham of Hamilton County, OH and uncle to several nieces and nephews. Bob made friends easily and was always willing to share a meal, the shirt off his back, or advice. The walls of Bob’s life house gave plenty of room for love and kindness for all. A perfect extension from his foundation of beliefs. And like any house, the roof establishes protection over the foundation and walls.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Howard Cunningham, II. and Patricia (Boetticheer) Cunningham; his granddaughter, Brenna Cunningham, died May 4, 2018 and his sisters, April Green and Gina Marie Jackson.
The roof of Bob’s life house was filled full of memories that helped preserve his legacy with his family. Before his adventures took him to the Philippines with his wife, he enjoyed taking his children on adventures through the United States. From the mountains of Idaho and building cabins to the sandy beaches of Florida with a camper in tow, there was no terrain too difficult to master a homestead. These are just a couple of memories to illustrate Bob’s roof to his life house. So many memories cover Bob’s life house, more than can be put into words.
Bob will be remembered for the life house he built for his family. His foundation of beliefs, surrounded by the walls of love and kindness, topped with a rooftop of memories for all to cherish. Bob will always be remembered for his kindness to all. Bob will also be remembered for the beautiful homes he built for families to provide shelter and love for the loved ones of the families he helped. Bob will be forever known for being a hard-working man that poured his life house into his family and his community.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
The Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Bear Branch Volunteer Fire Department Building, 2580 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018.
In lieu of flowers and memorial donations, please say a prayer for Bob’s family, friends, and loved ones. Take time to share a moment with your loved ones and cherish the beauty of what the Lord has given to you. Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home of Vevay, Indiana, is assisting the family.