Robert Edd Short

ROBERT EDD SHORT, the oldest child born to the union of Rev. John Wesley and Elzoria Short, was born on May 30, 1934 in Giles County, Tennessee. The family later moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Robert accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Metropolitan Baptist Church where his father was Assistant Pastor. Robert attended Indianapolis Public Schools and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1952. Following high school, he attended Indiana University (Bloomington, IN) and in 1956 earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Personnel Management. During college, he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Army R.O.T.C. As a Commissioned Officer, Robert spent two years post college graduation at Schofield Army Base in Hawaii. After completing his military service, he moved to Columbus, Ohio to begin his professional career in a supervisory position with F. & R. Lazarus. In 1974, he earned his MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Robert worked in management roles with several organizations, prior to concluding his eighteen-year career as a Contract Supervisor Specialist with Defense Construction Supply Company (DCSC). He also served as Columbus Metro Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Audit Committee Chairman, an organization he supported for the last 25 years. Robert retired in 2000, and traveled extensively to visit family and friends and to see the world. Shortly after moving to Columbus, he joined Mt Olivet Baptist Church. There, Robert was introduced to his bride and the love of his life, Cozine Alice White, by Ina Hereford, the Church Secretary, who was her Mother. The two were joined in Holy Matrimony on June 18, 1960, and the union would last 57 years and produced three wonderful children. He loved spending time with family and friends and was affectionally referred to as “The Godfather” because of his unwavering commitment and effort to build family unity/togetherness and support generational progress. Armed with the values his parents instilled in him and mindful of his favorite scripture (Matthew 6:33), Robert was a consistent, engaged volunteer and leader in his church, community and city for over 60 years. He was as a loyal and dedicated member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for 62 years. Robert served faithfully as Deacon, Deacon Board Chair, and Chairman of the Pulpit Committee that brought the Church’s 9th Pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Booth, to Columbus. Additionally, Robert’s passion was teaching Sunday School and Bible Study. He also found great joy in supporting the church his father founded and pastored, Greater Morning Star Baptist Church, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Civically, volunteering and helping others was central to how he lived his life. His involvement included: Mayoral Appointee as Columbus Community Relations Commissioner, from 1992 to 2006 (Chair from 1998 to 2005); Chairman of the Coalition for Concerned Black Citizens (1989 to 1995); Governor’s Appointee as Ohio Occupational & Physical Therapy Board Member (1977-1985); President, Model Neighborhood Assembly. He also served as Trustee for: East Central Areas Council (past President), Mid-Ohio Health Planning Federation, Columbus Metropolitan Area Community Action, Franklin County Mental Health Association, Central Ohio Council on Alcoholism; Community Health and Nursing Services, and St. Ann’s Hospital (past Treasurer). The broader community recognized Robert’s contributions with the NAACP Community Service Award, the Carter G. Woodson Service Award, the Blacks in Government Achievement Award, and by inducting him into the 2010 Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. His most coveted reward is having God say: Well done, my good and faithful servant, Well done. Robert gained his heavenly wings on March 22, 2020. He leaves to cherish his loving memory and legacy, his children: daughter, Mitzi Short; sons, Mark (Angela) Short and Montague (Terrilynn) Short; four grandsons, Marcus Short, Marshawn Short, Malcolm Short and Langston Short; brother, John (Barbara); three sisters, Arline (Jerry) Scott, Gail Elaine Johnson, and Cecelia (James) Whitfield; sister-in-law, Sheila Short; brother-in law, David White, Sr; three sisters-in law, Pat White, Jackie Hereford, and Barbara Hereford; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Cozine Short; parents, Rev. John Wesley and Elzoria Short; and brother, George Short.