Bob Book, 82, of Carmel, Ind. passed away the morning of December 9, 2012. He was born on December 31, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN to Wm. H. and Margaret V. Book. A 1948 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve that year, and spent 31 years in both US Marine Corps and US Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 1983 with the rank of Colonel.
After earning a BA in animal science from Purdue University in 1952, Bob earned an MBA from Indiana University and completed the Senior Executive Program at Columbia University. He became a driving force behind Elanco Products Company, a division of Eli Lilly Company, when he joined as a sales representative in 1955. After retiring in 1983 as Group Vice President of Agricultural Marketing, Bob became the first president of The Indiana Institute of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, Inc., serving until 1992. Bob and Dr. Bud Harmon established the Purdue University Book Harmon Leadership Program in Animal Sciences in 2005.
Board memberships included: The Marine Corps League, the Indiana Military Coalition, Military Officers of America Assn., the Farm Foundation, Neogen Corporation, Ag Alumni Seed, U.S. Feed Grains Council, National FFA and The Life Raft Group. For 29 years he was both an elected representative on the Clay Township Board in Hamilton County, Indiana, and President of Clay Township Regional Waste District. He was Precinct Committeeman for Clay Center 2, for over 30 years and served St. Vincent’s Carmel Hospital from ground breaking until he was named Chairman of the Board, that board membership continuing until June 2012.
Bob is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jeanne Book; their children, Mary M. Klunder (Robert), Nancy Joanne Fletcher, William H. Book (Dede), and Bart J. Book (Sherri). Grandchildren include: Benjamin R. Klunder, Lauren E. Book Linos (Constantine), Hilary R. Book, Christine Hatfield Waldrip (Brad), Michael M. Hatfield, and great-granddaughter, Isabella Waldrip. Others include cousins Martha Powell and family, and Kathryn Ann Hammons, and daughter Kathy Hammons, as well as many good friends and associates.
The family wishes to thank the St. Vincent New Hope Foundation staff for excellence in care and kindness toward Colonel Book and his family and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be sent to:
Purdue Foundation; Book-Harmon Leadership Forum; St. Vincent Health Foundation, the Life Raft Group, Arsenal Technical High School Alumni Association, or Marine Corps University at Quantico, VA.
