"I am just getting sattred on the Internet. I am retired now. I can see that there is a rich diversity in the blogs I am reading and I am trying to leave some comment whereever I visit. I think I really appreciate the basics of what you have here in this blog. I not only read and comment on the blogs of others but I now have my own blog and my own website. In the text boxes I have entered my email address and my website URL. I hope you approve that I did this. It seems to be customary so I went ahead with it. TheVeryBest2You 13 10"
In loving memory of
Robert McKenzie Book
December 31, 1929 - December 9, 2012
Col. Robert McKenzie Book, USMCR (ret)
82, of Carmel, IN passed away the morning of December 9, 2012. He was born in Indianapolis 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.
Bob and Jeanne are members of East 91st Street Christian Church, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN where a calling will be held on two days: Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Friday, December 14, 2012 from 9:30 until 11:00 am. A celebration of life funeral begins at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens immediately following the ceremony.
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.
Tributes
"We are so very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a grand gentleman. Bob & I firts interfaced as an alumn of the Class of 1952 of TechHIgh School at a reunion. Additionally I was priviledged to serve with Bob on the Clay Waste District Board. Our heartfelt Sympathy to Jeanne and all the family."
"What a guy! It was our privilege to know him. He had a great sense of humor, he loved his family, he loved Elk Rapids, and, above all, he was a Patriot! We'll meet again good frind."
"Bob and Jeannie Book embody all that is good of our community. Warmest condolences for the Book Family for a great American. "
"Book Family, Your father was a great friend to my parents and I will never forget is eulogy at my father's funeral he was a great individual."
"HE WAS A GREAT PERSON, A GREAT lEADER, NOT ONLY IN THE MILITARY BUT IN PERSONAL LIFE. HE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE I AWAYS LOOKED UP TO IN LIFE. HE WAS A HARD WORKER IN THE DADS' CLUB, AND COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS. HE WILL BE MISSED BY US ALL! HE WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON IN MY LIFE. REST IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND."
"I am a teacher at Carmel High School and the sponsor of the school's veterans day convocation. I am grateful for Colonel Book's contributions to our nation in general, and to our school in particular. He is the finest example of a warrior-gentleman I have come to know, and I will miss him."
"My recollection of Bob goes back to Third Christian Church when it met at 17th and Broadway before moving out to Fall Creek Blvd. in 1963. While attending Butler I was in the Christian Men Builders (CMB) class which Bob taught. I remember his account of the explosion of the State Fair Colissium (sp?) building and his search for Billy along with a Korean War story he told about being under fire and swallowing a cigar. (Words of the medic who checked him out: "You won't have to worry about worms for a month.") And who can forget that big cowboy hat and the dayk he ran into Mr. Lilly wearing it. (Another story I heard) I also remember his parents and especially his father's leadership in Indianapolis. The city needs more like the Books today. Thanks for their Christian influence in business and civic life."
"Bob was a good friend and a fine American. He loved his country, his fellow veterans, and above all else, his Marines. Semper Fi, Bob. I'll see you on the next beachhead. "
"It was my privilege to work with Bob at Elanco. Bob was a great leader and a key contributor to the success of Elanco . Bob was a role model of integrity, hard work commitment. He was liked by all and will be missed by everyone who had a chance to know him."
"Bob Book was one of my late husband's favorite people! Michael and I both had great admiration and respect for Col. Book. This world has loss a tremendous person and leader who was loved by many. Your family will be remembered in prayer during the coming days and months. "
"Our condolences and warmest sympathies to all."
"i dont know if you were my uncle but hope your family is given comfort from heavenly father up above and you are in his loving arms .my dad was john r mckenzie from michigian "
"Our sincere sympathy to all the Book family, we feel we lost a very good friend and nieghber.we lived next door to the Books for 28 yrs. and they were always in our thougts even though we now live in Florida."
"Sincere sympathy to Bart, Sherri and the entire Book family."
"Esprit de Corps, Captain Book. What a fine example of a Marine you were to a young private just coming in the Marines in the early 60s. Then to be able to know you later in life I have always felt honored. Condolences Mary."
"Our hearts are sad for your loss. Bob was a man of many accomplishments and will be missed by many."
"Major Book was my commanding officer in the Indianapolis Marine Corps Reserve in 1965. We both wound up in Carmel Rotary and over the years my respect for his leadership continued to grow. I would follow Col. Book where ever he felt we needed to go. He will be greatly missed. "
"Bob was a great man and a great Father. He will be missed by all that knew him."
"A leader in every sense of the word. One of the finest people I have ever known. I loved his stories and his humor. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, soldier."
"I am grateful that I had the privlege of knowing Col Book. A truly great man who loved his family, friends and country! R.I.P Colonel, you will be missed."
"We have lost a great American, a man who loved and served his family, his nation and his community selflessly. He will be missed but his example will never be forgotten."