INDIANA, May 17 – Robert “Bob” John Herndon, 74, resident of Hammond, IN, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012 with his family by his side. He was born July 13, 1937 to Clarence and Ruth Herndon of Arvonia. He grew up in Buckingham County with his parents and five siblings.

Mr. Herndon graduated from Cumberland County High School in 1956 and was among one of the first men to be accepted into Longwood College in Farmville. He served our country in the United States Army and received a Good Conduct Medal.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, IN for 37 years, a member of the Masonic Brother Garfield Lodge No. 569 (Highland, IN) for 30 years, and a member of the South Bend Scottish Right Consistory. He worked for GATX Tank Erection Corporation for 22 years (1963 to 1985) and the United States Government Logistics Agency for 16 years (1986 to 2002). He happily retired in 2002.

Mr. Herndon was a gentle, loving family man with a great sense of humor and a very giving heart. Throughout his life he en-joyed traveling, family vacations, playing bluegrass music on his banjo and five-string guitar, hunting, fishing, working on cars, watching football, and most recently spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 45 yrs, Rose Yvonne Herndon (nee Robinson); three beautiful daughters, Carol (Daniel) Syl-vester of Lansing, IL, Norma (Joseph) O'Donnell of Hammond, IN and Brenda Herndon of Chicago, IL; two grandchildren, Sophia Sylvester and Dominick Sylvester; siblings, Clarence (Kathleen) Herndon Jr. of New Canton, Martha Thompson of Farmville, Aubrey (Ann) Herndon of New Canton, Frances Ducsai of Long Beach, CA, and Carrie (Michael) Wright-O'Neal of Richmond. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Uvren Herndon and Ruth Evelyn Herndon and a brother, Russell Herndon.

Mr. Herndon will be going home to Buckingham County. Friends and family may visit Monday, May 21 at the Dunkum Fu-neral Home, in Dillwyn, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, May 22, at Buckingham Baptist Church at 11 a.m. with burial to follow.

Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is serving the family.