Robert C. Alder, 79, of Fayetteville died Friday at Lincoln Skill Care Center after a long illness.

The funeral was Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home. The Rev. Jim Fee officiated and burial was in the Riverview Memorial Gardens.

Mr Alder was born Jan 25, 1908 in Hancock County, son of the late James Trent and Sarah Cornelius Sizemore Alder, and one of 21 children.

He was valedictorian of his graduating class of Hancock High School. Mr Alder moved to Lincoln County around 1930 as a surveyor for the Tennessee Highway Department. He later was employed by H.E. Wolfe Construction Co. as it construction superintendent.

He married the former Helen Johnson Lindsey on Feb 12, 1942. Mrs Alder died Oct 23, 1973.

A veteran of World War II, Alder, a first lieutenant, served as reconnaissance officer for the 203d Field Artillery Battalion on the European Front and participated in the Battle of St Lo and the Battle of the Bulge in 1945 in Germany,he was awarded the Silver Star for heroism during an attach by 13 German planes.

In 1946 Mr. Alder founded Robert Alder Inc construction
company where he remained as owner and president until his death. His company has constructed numerous buildings and bridges throughout Lincoln County as well as across Tennessee. His company was most noted for having constructed the first bridge on the interstate highway system in Tennessee in 1956.

Mr Alder was a member of the Fayetteville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where he served as both deacon and elder and took an active part in all church affairs. He was a member of the American Legion Post 42 for 41 years.

Active in may Civic affairs, Mr Adler has served on the electric board, airport board and may advisory committees concerning traffic control.

He is survived by a daughter Miss Carolyn Helen Alder of Nashville; a son Robert Douglas Alder of Nashville; a brother Jess Alder of Hancock County; and three grandchildren.