Robert Lodder, Sr

Robert Andrew Lodder, Sr. passed away January 17, 2015. He was 94. He is survived by his devoted children, Linda, Robert Jr. and LeeAnn, and his loving grandchildren, Andrew, Laura and Lucinda. Robert was born May 30, 1920, to Andrew John and Alberta (Lohaus) Lodder. He graduated from Withrow High School, and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and the University of Cincinnati, where he studied mechanical engineering. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, 1942-46, as Staff Sergeant in the 15th Weather Squadron in the American and Asiatic Pacific theaters, and participated in the Battle of Luzon that liberated the Philippines. After the war, Robert attended the Archer School of Photography in San Francisco, where he studied with Ansel Adams and other photographic innovators of the day, graduating second in his class. In 1950 he opened Lodder Photography in Pleasant Ridge, the first commercial and portrait photography business in Cincinnati. Over the next 40 years, Robert made portraits and photographed the weddings of thousands of Cincinnati families, and provided commercial photography services to clients that included the Ford Motor Company and Totes Isotoner. He was a life-long member of the Professional Photographers of America. Robert was an avid kayaker and river enthusiast throughout his life. He built his first kayak at the age of 14 from a kit he bought out of a scouting magazine, and continued kayaking well into his 80s. He was active in the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, an organization committed to preserving river history, co-founded by his father in 1939. He was also a biker, and celebrated his 80th birthday by biking 200 miles across the state of New York. His energy, creativity and sense of humor will be missed by his loving circle of family and friends. A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5950 Montgomery Road, on Tuesday, January 27 from 2-4 pm. Donations in Robert's memory may be made to the American Lung Association or Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church.