INDIANAPOLIS
Clifford Ancil Trowbridge, 93, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, at Maple Park Village in Westfield, IN. He was born on May 13, 1931, to his parents the Rev. Rolla and Zelpha (Andis) Trowbridge in the Indiana Community of Newark where he began his public education. He graduated from Solsberry High School with the class of 1948 where he had the pleasure of being the 6 foot 4 inch center on the basketball team to win the school’s first ever basketball sectional tournament. He enjoyed strumming his guitar, singing, and writing lyrics.
Graduating high school in 1948, Clifford moved to Indianapolis and was employed two years prior to volunteering for the Army Airborne during the Korean War in 1950 as a Paratrooper with the 11th Division of 101st Airborne. After extensive training in the proper way to exit an airplane using a parachute, he was awarded his wings. In August 1950 he volunteered and deployed to Japan where he joined the 187th Regimental Combat Team known as the “Rakkasans”. When the unit wasn’t in battle, he was fortunate to be on their Army Basketball team. He participated in several battles with the North Korea and Chinese forces, especially one on August 14, 1952, when several troopers lost their lives. He participated in the control of over 3000 rioters in North Korean Prisoner of War Camps on Kojedo Island then rebuilding the camp. Another battle in Kumhwa Valley, and he was on the list to return to the United States, Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
Clifford retired from Allison Transmission after serving 27 years of employment as a quality control specialist. He was a Deacon at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana.
On May 28, 1953, he married the love of his life, Margaret Martindale in Indianapolis, who he was proudly married to for 71 years. She survives along with their five surviving wonderful children, Clinton Trowbridge, Donald (Sherry) Trowbridge, Marla (John) McDowell, Brian (Penny) Trowbridge, and Jennifer (Kevin) Riley. He is also survived by grandchildren, Danny Trowbridge, Kyle Trowbridge, Katie Trowbridge, Tyler (Christine) Trowbridge, Jordan (Drew) Jamison-Hawk; Surviving step-grandchildren, Summer McDowell, Breanne (Ryan) Borne, Kaitlin (Joe) Duran; Great grandchildren, Isaiah, Kempton, June, Kenton, Brett, Molly, Lucas, Alea Rose, Oliver, Noah, Sam, Ava Rose; along with several nieces and nephews.
In additional to his parents, Clifford was preceded in death by his sister, May Bland and brothers, Charles Trowbridge, Leonard Trowbridge, and John Calvin Trowbridge.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Indiana Funeral Care, Greenwood Chapel with the funeral service immediately to follow at 1:00pm. Clifford will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, Indiana
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
Arrangements by: Indiana Funeral Care, Greenwood Chapel.
