Robert Ford Porter stepped into Glory Friday, September 15, 2023 at 9:01AM surrounded by his family. He was the only son and second born of Gaylord Ford Porter and Ida Louise (Hunton) Porter. He was born in Princeton, IN on January 2, 1927. His sister, Mary Louise Porter Gibbs preceded him in death. He accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age, graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and immediately entered the US Army where he served in the Army of Occupation in Germany as a chaplain's assistant in WWII.

Upon his return Robert worked with his father Ford producing the gospel tract God's Simple Plan of Salvation at Berean Gospel Distributors of Indianapolis. He became lifelong friends with Walter E. Best, the owner of Best Lock Corporation. Robert was a pilot with a commercial rating and owned a Taylorcraft airplane. Walt and Robert enjoyed flying in formation together and shot the Bow River rapids in Canada.

Robert married his sweetheart Opal Patricia Boring in 1953. He is survived by their four children: Mark (wife Carol), Mary Esther (husband Jack Deitrick), Beth, and Barth (wife Brenda). Grandchildren are Jessica, Jared, Johanna,  Abby, Elizabeth, Ryan, Doug, and Megan. Great-grandchildren are Micah, Ivy, Noah, Liam, Emma, Amelia, Theodore, Madison, Collin, Evelyn, Gracelyn, and Kamden.

Robert and Patty were married 55 years, serving in the church with his father Ford, the founding pastor. Music was a great part of their ministry at church and on Ford's weekly radio program on WIBC. Robert played the trombone, double bell euphonium, the marimba, glockenspiel, and Kentucky Rocks (tuned percussion) while Patty played the piano, Hammond organ, and the pipe organ at the church on 12th and Delaware Street. Robert directed the choir, trios for radio, and performed as a soloist.

Robert's ministry was the management of seven ministries his father Ford operated: Lifegate Baptist Church, Indiana Baptist College, Camp Berean, Lifegate, Inc, Berean Gospel Bookstore, radio ministry, and Children's Bible Clubs. Upon his father's death Robert oversaw the re-establishment of these ministries as stand-alone ministries except for the radio ministry which ended with his father's death.

Robert served on the board of directors of Berean Gospel Distributors (which became Lifegate, Inc), Heritage Christian School, and Heritage Baptist University. Robert's interests were tennis, table tennis, flying, wood working, astronomy, and stamp collecting. Robert received an honorary D. Litt. from Heritage Baptist College.

In 1979 his ministry was curtailed by a spinal epidural abscess located in his mid-back. He suffered many surgeries and chronic pain in his back, feet, and legs. This led to his need to work from home where he handled translation and donation correspondence for Lifegate until his retirement in 2007 at age 80.

Robert and Patty moved to Westside Garden Plaza in 2006. Patty died in May, 2009. Robert spent his remaining years at the Westside Garden Plaza where he was active in vespers leading music. During these years he took 32 Great Courses college courses. Later Robert entered long-term nursing care at Westside Village where he remained until his death. We are thankful for the compassionate care given by the professionals at Westside Village.

Memorial giving can be addressed to Lifegate, Inc., PO Box 5, Monrovia, IN 46157.