October 19, 1922 – January 28, 2019
Robert (Bob) Lutz Arbuckle, 96, Noblesville, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Riverwalk Village at Noblesville. He was born October 19, 1922 in Lebanon to Raymond C. and Mildred (Lutz) Arbuckle.
Robert was the owner of Arbuckle Appliances and Fabric, The Railroad Place and has been called “the happiest guy in historic Noblesville.”
Bob attended several Indiana schools as his father, Raymond Arbuckle, taught Shop and Agriculture classes at different high schools including Noblesville High School. Bob, as he was fondly known, graduated from Fairmount High School with the Class of 1941. He studied drama under Adeline Mart Nall, who was also James Dean’s drama teacher.
Bob traveled to Chicago to study and work photography. There, at the Palmer House Hotel, he enlisted in the United States Navy on Navy Day on October 13, 1942. He served during World War II in Cuba and aboard the USS South Dakota. Trained in engine technology, Bob then earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering at DePauw University and at the University of Texas at Austin. He then served as a Lieutenant in the Navy reserves.
Bob married Beverly Pfaff, daughter of Harry and Pearl Pfaff, in 1944. They then opened a photography studio in Warsaw, Ind., producing commercial and portrait photos.
Moving to Noblesville, they started a sewing machine service on Logan Street on the north side of the square. Soon, needing more parking and space, Bob and Beverly moved to a warehouse building on Vine Street along the Midland Railroad in Noblesville. The Railroad Place was then created, mostly through Bob’s innovative promoting. They sold sewing machines, vacuum sweepers, washers, dryers, typewriters and fabric. The Railroad Place also serviced these products.
Bob had many varied interests such as Morgan horses, horse drawn carriages, artistic blacksmithing, acting, bicycling, volunteering with Indiana Transportation Museum and above all, DANCING. He started dancing after a trip to Vienna, Austria. He danced ballroom dancing at the Continental Dance Club at Indianapolis on Sunday nights for over 25 years. He was voted King (Queen) two times. He also participated in line dancing with the Desert Rose Dancers and at the Noblesville Street Dances.
Surviving him are two daughters, Linda Arbuckle, Fairfield, Calif.; and Sara (Craig) Carter, Noblesville; grandchildren, Charlotte Honciano of California and Trent Carter, Indianapolis; and nephews, Paul Webb of Oregon and Marc Webb of Michigan.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife; a sister, Alice (Arbuckle) Webb; grandsons, Paul Carter and Duane Carter; and nephews, Bruce Webb and Scott Webb.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Hartley Funeral Homes Cicero Chapel. You may send condolences at hartleyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements
Condolences: hartleyfuneralhomes.com