Descendants of William Carpenter of Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, now part of Bristol County, MA

Notes


33306. Robert Le Roy (Bob) Carpenter

MARRIAGE: Robert married several times but did not have any children.
WORLD WAR II Vet.  W.I.A. (WIA)

Fay (Carpenter) & Jerry Ford provided this summary in April of 2005:
Son Robert "Bob" LeRoy Carpenter was b. 16 Apr 1922 in Waterloo, Black Hawk Co., IA.  He m. five times:  Dorothy, Joyce, Mary, Miriam and Victoria.  First three wives are deceased; fourth marriage was brief and little is known about her.  Bob m. Victoria "Vicki" Sheridan (Law) 29 Aug 1987 in Arcadia, CA.  He d. from Parkinson's 18 Apr 2005, cremated and buried with family members in Greenwood Cem., Nashua, IA.  Vicki was b. 29 Jul 1925 in Garnett, Anderson Co., KS.  She survives Bob.  He had no biological heirs.  For genealogical purposes, this listing only includes biological descendants, however, it is noted that three significant step-daughters are identified in his obituary.

OBIT:
(beneath photo)
Robert L. Carpenter
16 Apr 1922 - 18 Apr 2005

Robert "Bob" LeRoy Carpenter, age 83, passed away at a California medical facility after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, a condition that attacks and destroys the central nervous system.  Victoria Sheridan Law Carpenter, his wife of 17 years, is strengthened by their mutual Presbyterian faith and many happy memories of their loving marriage. She has honored his wish to be cremated and his ashes interred with his family in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashua, IA, near his birthplace in Waterloo.  The graveside service will be held Saturday, May 21, 2005,11:00 A.M.

Bob was the oldest of three brothers born to Clifford LeRoy "Pete" Carpenter of Syracuse, NY and Faye Viola White Carpenter of Deerfield, IA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Leonard E. Nelson and niece Bonnie Nelson. His mother Faye also suffered from Parkinson's Disease and passed away at age 34.

When his mother Faye became too ill with Parkinson's Disease to care for her family, her brother Vane White and his first wife Grayce Crooks White, cared for Faye and raised Bob and his younger brother, Clifford Harold.  Bob remembers helping his uncle in his store and construction businesses while he attended high school in Waterloo. Upon graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and served on various ships and both theaters during WW II.  He enlisted 10 Jul 1942 attaining the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class.  He received the Purple Heart and other commendations serving his country at time of war.  Before his injuries, Bob did some boxing in the Navy.  Buddies said he was "plenty tough" in the ring.  He was honorably discharged 15 Dec 1945. Later, he worked for the Lockheed Corp. in California, where he retired in 1987.

Although Bob had no biological children, he loved his step-children and treated them as his own. He is survived by Dixie Heimbuck and Donna Remling, daughters of wife, Mary, and Victoria A. Law, daughter of Victoria.  Cliff Carpenter, Fay Charpentier-Ford and Rick Carpenter mark the passage of a close brother and warm, witty uncle. Bob is also survived by a half brother, William Carpenter, and a half sister, Marie Carpenter Bondi. They have loved Bob since they learned of one another while attending their father Pete's funeral in 1977.

In later years, Bob became interested in family history and participated in a Carpenter DNA project to determine kinship.  He wanted his family's history updated and made available for researchers and interested individuals.  Therefore, a documented family history, descending from Bob's  great, great grandfather, will be placed in Iowa libraries and other historical records sites with his obituary.  The Sons of the American Revolution National Historical and Genealogical Library in Louisville, KY also houses the information in its Carpenter Collection.   SAR Library staff can refer you to a contact person.

Celebrate Bob's life and support Victoria with your prayers.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.


Mary

Mary was married and had two daughters.  It is believed that her second husband adopted the two young girls.


33308. Leonard Eugene (Grant Wilbur Carpenter) Nelson

Grant Wilbur Carpenter (Leonard Eugene Nelson adopted name) was b. 18 Apr 1926 in Waterloo, Black Hawk Co., IA.  He m. Maxine Greenley in the 1940s.  He d. from bone cancer 31 Jul 2000.  Leonard and Maxine had one biological child Bonnie Nelson who m. Lance Williams.  Bonnie d. in 1999.  Leonard married a second time to Virginia (unk), b. abt. 1926. They adopted two boys.  Information is limited.
His birth mother was seriously ill thus rendering her incapable of caring for an infant.
An aunt Jeannette Carpenter offered to raise infant Grant. Within weeks, she changed her mind and without family discussion placed him in an orphanage.  He was adopted by the Nelson Family and renamed.


Maxine Greenley

DEATH: died but death range is too wide.


Virginia

DEATH: Deceased but range of death date too wide.