Robert Kenneth Delaplane, age 80, of Camden, passed away at 7:45 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. He chose to make an anatomical donation to IU Med Center, for medical research.
Bob was born in Seattle, Washington on April 11, 1945, to the late Charles Kenneth Delaplane and Margaret Dorothy (VanGeystel) Delaplane.
On August 7, 1964, he married Deborah (Sweet) Delaplane, and she survives.
Bob was a lifelong member and a former elder at the Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, in Deer Creek, Indiana.
Bob’s past employment includes Pioneer Seed Corn Co., Triangle Feeds, Chrysler, Carroll Co. Road Supervisor, and from 1984-2017 he owned & operated Delaplane & Son Sign Co., fabricating all sizes of signs, including neon & high rise, as well as awnings. He was so grateful for the opportunity to farm his family ground from 2006-2017. He absolutely loved the sign business and farming. He loved to work and never stopped. He enjoyed reminiscing about all the signs he made or serviced, when driving through different towns. As he aged, he continued to organize and tinker in the barn.
Farming his family’s ground had always been a dream of his. The 1st year of farming, Jeff got to witness his dad hop out of the tractor and make a “Dirt Angel” in the middle of the field. Farming was one of Jeff’s passions too, so he was equally excited for the opportunity to help his dad. Bob was extremely proud to inherit the ground that had been in the family for over 100 years.
Bob loved vacationing in Max, Minnesota, staying at Driftwood and fishing for walleye, crappie, and northern. An area his family had frequented many times through the years.
Bob enjoyed the slots and he and Deb made many trips to Vegas. He was hooked after winning a sizable prize in 1992.
Bob’s love and pride for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was evident, no matter who he was talking to. He had very high hopes of getting to watch his great grands grow up!
Bob never stopped mourning the loss of his younger brothers and son. He developed relationships with several corpsmen from his brother Jim’s class, from the Great Lake’s Naval Academy. Larry, Jim, John, Bobby, and Ray, he loved all of them like brothers.
The untimely death of his son, Jeff, took a toll on him. A parent should never have to bury their child.
As Bob’s dementia got worse, he was very vocal about how grateful he was to have the love and help from his wife, Deb and daughter, Kim & son-in-law, Ladd as well as wonderful family and lifelong friends.
He worked hard, played hard and loved hard…all for his family. He wore his heart on his sleeve.
Along with his wife of 61 years, Debbie , he is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Ladd) Kitchel. He was “Papaw” to grandchildren, Braydon (Laine) Kitchel, Karlee Kitchel, Brandon Vale, Emilee (Kanaan) Pruitt, Jordan Delaplane, great-grandchildren, Brooks and Ridge Kitchel, Blair Pruitt.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, brothers, James C. And Dennis A. Delaplane, and a son, Jeffrey R. Delaplane.
A celebration of life service will be held on May 9, 2026, at the Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, 4450 N. SR. 29, Camden, IN. 46917. The service will start at 11am, with a receiving line afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, in his memory.