Robert C. "Bob" Thurgood 86, of Evansville, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Bob was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines and Japan, and later served in the Korean conflict. He worked for Orr Iron and Shelby Steel for 45 years and retired from O'Neal Steel in 1987. He was past president of The Evansville Purchasing Management Association. Bob enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball at Holy Rosary Little League. He also enjoyed bowling and playing bridge for many years. Bob had a love for dancing and he and his wife belonged to the formal Coterie Dance Club. Bob was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he served as a Deacon. He was ordained as Deacon in 1983. He was awarded the Msgr. Maurilius E. Bilskie Award in 1988 and was installed into the Brute Society in 1997 for outstanding and devoted services to his parish. He served as President of Holy Rosary Church Council, and a member of Holy rosary's Men's Club. He directed the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for 12 years. He and his wife were chair couple of the Diocesean Christian family movement. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Jean, sons Steven Thurgood and wife Terri of O'Fallon, IL , Thomas C. Thurgood and wife Christi of Macon, MS, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel R. and Eleanore E. (Sonnemaker) Thurgood, and brothers, Ralph F. and Charles H. Thurgood. Visitation will from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, IN and continued on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1303 S. Green River Rd., Evansville. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger as celebrant with priests of the diocese as concelebrants and the deacons of the diocese in attendance. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Rd., Evansville, IN.