Robert W. Taylor, 83, resident of Lafayette passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at home.  He was born February 5, 1935 and grew up in Lawtons, NY, on Dancote Farm raising Angus beef.  Bob graduated from Cornell University in 1956.  On June 2, 1956 he married Anna B. Cady in Troupsburg, NY.   They relocated to West Lafayette, IN, where he completed his MS and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.  Bob joined Purdue faculty as a Farm Management Professor in the Agricultural Economics Department.  His passion and concern for students was legendary, and he continued teaching and mentoring for 50 years at Purdue.

Bob was not just recognized and admired by his students for his caring approach to challenging their thinking and stimulating them to learn, but also for his sincere interest in them as individuals with personal as well as professional aspirations.  Through his dynamic classes and caring connections with students, he built relationships that lasted a lifetime.   He also worked in extension, emphasizing family farm business arrangements.  Bob was a member of Evangelical Covenant Church of Lafayette, Indiana where he taught Jr High Sunday School for many years.  He left his mark on thousands of families across Indiana.

Former students remember Dr. Taylor for his daily quizzes, expressive teaching style, and especially for his wonderful ability to listen.  Grandchildren remember him for his enthusiastic stories and sneezes, his wholehearted encouragement in life and learning, and his raised eyebrows and the suspenders he wore.

Outside of teaching, Bob enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop making grandfather clocks and gifts for his family.  He loved spending summers at the family cottage in Western, NY, where he spent hours of fun driving the boat, pulling skiers, and attempting to knock kids off the tube!

Surviving with his wife are his children Bill of Brighton, CO; Cindy (Bill) Fate of Lafayette, IN; Susan (Michael) Barker of Laramie, WY; Dan (Audette) of Rossville, IN.   He was blessed with grandchildren Clayton (Sam) Taylor and Stephen (Christy) Taylor of Columbus, OH; Kevin (Rayna) Barker, Denise Barker, Karen (Joe) Marr, and Daniel (Liberty) Barker of Wyoming;  Jacob, David, Sarah, Katie, and Karie Taylor of Rossville, Indiana; and 6 great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are his brothers David (Leena) Taylor of Broomfield, CO; Donald (Sally) Taylor of Ames, IA; and sister-in-law Sylvi Taylor of Gettysburg, PA.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Annie (Clark) Taylor and his brother Philip J. Taylor of Lawtons, NY.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 3600 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN.  The service will be followed by a reception at 2:45 pm in the Great Room at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Taylor Excellence Fund, within Purdue Ag Economics in care of Purdue Foundation, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN   47907-2007.  Gifts can also be made towards this fund online at www.Giving.Purdue.edu/InMemoryofDrBobTaylor.