George Batt

George Hiles Batt, 97, died June 7, 2007. Calling will be Friday, June 15, 9:30 AM at First Friends Meeting, 3030 E. Kessler Blvd., with service at 11:00 A.M at the church. Family graveside service will be at Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, IN, next to the gravesite of his wife of seventy years, Ruth Bachmann Batt. George was dedicated to caring for his family, giving excellent service to each of his business clients, many of whom became personal friends, and to serving First Friends Meeting. As a boy, George became fascinated with the cornet when he heard the John Philip Sousa Band. He eventually studied with the band?s lead cornet player, played in the original national orchestra that developed into Interlochen Center for the Arts in Traverse City, MI, founded and conducted the Earlham College Band while a student there, played in the U.S. Army bands of Fort Lee (VA) and Fort Harrison (IN) during World War II, and performed with other community and traveling bands. He thrilled audiences with his solos of ?Carnival of Venice? and ?The Holy City.? His early business career included work as Field Director for Earlham College; editor of the in- plant newspape...[more]

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or Frigidaire of Dayton, OH; and salesman with Jenkins Brothers insurance agency of Richmond, IN, Aetna Casualty and Surety Co., and Insurance Audit and Inspection Company, both of Indianapolis. As Vice President of the Indianapolis office of Marsh & McLennan Inc., he handled the insurance accounts for Arvin Industries, Eli Lilly & Co., and Indiana Gas Co., as well as Earlham, Franklin and Hanover Colleges. Following his retirement from Marsh & McLennan in 1977, he worked in sales for Herke Insurance Agency and Richardson, Munson & Weir commercial design service. At First Friends Meeting he was a Trustee and served on Ministry and Council and the Finance and Music Committees. He chaired the Connor Prairie Advisory Board and served as President of Earlham College Parents Association and Riviera Camera Club. He was active in Rotary Club of Indianapolis, Scottish Rite, and Earlham Alumni Association Board. He was an accomplished amateur photographer. A winner of the Indianapolis Star Photo Contest, his pictures appeared on the cover of the Star magazine section and on several nationally-distributed Marsh & McLennan calendars. Other major interests included studying weather, traveling to New England and Europe, and attending Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts. Surviving family include son and daughter-in-law Bill and Martha Sue Batt of Indianapolis; daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Ray Magnuson of California; grandchildren and spouses Heidi and Steve Hoffman of California, Gretel and Dennis Deem of Michigan, Liesel Magnuson of California, Susan Batt of Indianapolis, Bob and Michelle Batt of New Hampshire; great grandchildren Cody Crockett, Ella Hoffman, Teddy Deem, Ruthie Deem, Andy Deem, and Annika Batt. Contributions may be designated to First Friends Meeting of Indianapolis or The Indianapolis Children?s Choir, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Arrangements: Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel #