Robert "Binks" Watson Biddle

Robert ‘Binks’ Watson Biddle, Jr. passed away on the morning of March 30, 2022.  Binks leaves behind a son, Robert Watson Biddle III (Lindsey) of Lewiston, ID, and a daughter, Skyla Marie Biddle of Indianapolis.  Binks is also survived by four grandchildren, Reason & Linden (Robert) in Lewiston and Kyron & Kendrick (Skyla) in Indianapolis.  Binks has two surviving sisters, Susan Greer (Larry) of Lafayette and Jennifer Biddle of Indianapolis and his late sister Patricia Biddle. Binks will also be deeply missed by Becky Brauneller, his loving partner for the past two years.

Binks was the son of Robert and Margret Biddle.  Binks’s father, known as Yogi by so many in the Peru area, very successfully coached and taught school at Peru High School.

Binks attended Elmwood grade school and graduated from Peru High in 1971.  He graduated with honors and was a member of the basketball and baseball teams.  He was an outstanding baseball player and earned a baseball scholarship to Purdue University.

Binks worked in sales throughout his career and was very good at it. For the past 15 years, until his retirement, he worked at RA-COMM in Lafayette offering industrial radio and telecommunications equipment.  A diet of steady cold calls while driving 400 miles in one day demonstrated the dedication he had to his craft.  He was always the leading salesperson and considered his clients his friends.

Speaking of friends, no one made, nurtured and cherished friendships like Binks.   His classmates in grade school, 60 years later, are still some of his best friends.  He had relationships with so many high school and college buddies which continued over many years .  And uniquely Binks, he had a nickname for just about everyone…Cardo, Gerge, Bake, Big Fella, July, Down-bound, Bart and on and on.  Binks was genuine, sincere and had a joy for life that made him unique and a dear friend to so many.  He always made you feel he was glad to see you.

Binks, just like his dad, was an avid sports fan.  Baseball was his specialty, and he excelled at baseball trivia.  Being in a room with Bake, Cardo, Dr. Dunk, Gerge, and others, meant there were real bragging rights on the line. And of course, a lot of laughs along the way as to who could out do the others.  Binks was hard to beat.

Fishing was also a passion for Binks.  Whether it was fishing the banks of the Wabash, floating the Eel river, catching Walleye in Canada, crappie in AL, or sheepshead on the flats in FL. Binks was always fun to fish with.  And on those fishing adventures it often didn’t matter if fish were caught or not.  Bink’s son Robert, is an avid fisherman, and when those two fished, it got a little more serious…was it father or son who caught the most/biggest.  Binks truly enjoyed being on the water, fishing with his son.

Binks retired in January of 2019 and lived in the “Biddle” house.  The house he grew up in on Monroe Street.  Binks acquired the house when his father’s estate was settled several years earlier.  He completely remodeled the house and added a terrific back patio with top tier grilling equipment.  He was very proud of his “new” home and planned to live there for many years.

Grilling and smoking meats had become a passion for Binks. He became excellent at smoking meats and would often smoke a whole pork shoulder but with the intent of giving 90% to his friends and neighbors…that was just Binks…sharing his wealth and bringing a smile to so many others.

Binks found a wonderful partner too late in his life.  Becky and Binks' love for each other was evident to everyone.  Both enjoyed life with such positive outlooks.  Becky’s care for Binks these last nine months was the most heartfelt and heart wrenching one could imagine.  Her love and care will be long remembered.

Binks fought pancreatic cancer to the end. As told by his closest friends, his bravery and strength to fight on, knowing the inevitable outcome, made those closest to him proud and often tearful.  Binks was loved by many.  He will be remembered as a caring father, a smart and well read man, a tough as nails athlete, a top-shelf salesman, and a VERY SPECIAL, ONE of KIND friend.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, from 12pm to 1:30pm at the Riverview Event Center on Canal Street in Peru, IN.  All are welcome and the family encourages donations to the Peru YMCA in lieu of flowers or gifts.

Bink's online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.riverviewfhperu.com