Page created by: Lisa RIpperger

Our father Bob Lavender was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015. My dad was returning home from a trip abroad and was struggling with the common symptoms of the brutal disease later diagnosed as Parkinson's. For the next seven years my dad would go through a regiment of therapies to help with the all too familiar symptoms for balance, voice, memory, and later walking, talking and swallowing. Although he did his best to retain his dignity, the disease wreaked havoc on his body. As upbeat as my Dad was, his constant complaint was how tired he was. Parkinson's treatment has come a long way but not enough to help the patients who crave to live their lives without these life curtailing symptoms. Please consider donating in honor of my dad and all the other people suffering from this crippling disease. My family thanks you in advance for any support.

Robert Lavender, 89, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Westfield, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022, after spending time surrounded by his family. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, to Jesse and Mayme Lavender, on February 24, 1933. After graduating from Marquette High School in 1951, where he played football, baseball and basketball, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, on an athletic scholarship for football and baseball.
Buck proudly served in the Marine Corps as a First Lieutenant from 1955 to 1958. He joined
JCPenney Co., working out of the corporate offices in New York City and Dallas, Texas, and retired to Sarasota, Florida, in 1993.
Buck was predeceased by his wife, Joanne, in 2002 after 41 happy years. Together they were blessed with three children, Mark Lavender (Lou Ellen), Lisa Ripperger (John) and David Lavender (Liz), along with nine grandchildren, Kimberly, Kyle, Lindsay and Owen Ripperger; Morgan, Grace and Margaret Lavender; and Matthew and William Lavender. In 2004, he married Marge Deady, with whom he shared 17 more wonderful years and who survives him, and was blessed with Marge’s three children, David (Cindy) Deady, Christine Deady and Mark (Dawn) Deady, and nine grandchildren, Tyler (Kathryn), Jamie, Katie, Mary and Carolyn; Jessica, Kara, Ryan and Jeff. Buck also is survived by his sister, Corrine French, and predeceased by his brothers, Don and Jack, and his sisters, Muriel and Jean.
He was an avid golfer who played over 500 golf courses around the world and will always be remembered to be hitting practice golf balls behind the local school to improve his game. Buck was a lifelong Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan, but what gave him his greatest joy was the love for his family and friends and traveling the world. While living in Westfield, he was a member of Saint Helen’s Church and coached several baseball and basketball teams supporting his kids in youth sports. He also was a member of the Westfield High School Boosters and served as president in 1980. Buck also was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church of Sarasota.
There were no strangers in Buck’s life, as he cared so deeply for his family and friends. Buck’s family sends special thanks to those at Plymouth Harbor who helped him throughout the last few years with such beautiful care.