Robert A. Gardner

ROBERT ALDEN GARDNER Of Carmel, Indiana died Sunday, November 22, 2009. He was 78 years old. Bob, as he was known, retired in 1993 from American United Life Insurance Company (AUL) where he worked for 33 years. He began his insurance career in 1952 as an agent for Prudential. He next became an underwriter for Massachusetts Mutual and in 1960 moved to Indianapolis, IN to work for AUL. He served as Chief Life Underwriter, Insurance Technical Editor, Manager of Health Reinsurance, Underwriting Research Director, Chief Editor of the Company's Underwriting Guide, and Senior Auditor, Underwriting. He was a past president of the Indiana Home Office Underwriters Association, a columnist for the Indiana Underwriter, and a founder and editor of "On The Risk," an insurance trade publication. Likewise, he was an author for the Academy of Life Underwriting. Though born in Springfield, MA, he was raised in Connecticut obtaining his BS degree in Business Administration and an ROTC commission in the Air Force from the University of Connecticut in 1952. After serving two years active duty in the Air Force, Bob continued in the Air Force Reserves. He spent the last 19 of his 28 years of...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

litary service as a Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy for which he received the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Past president of the Service Club of Indianapolis, life member of The Military Officers Association, and member of the American Legion, Post #0153, Bob served a few years on the Indianapolis Veterans Day Committee and several months as Metro Director for the National Alliance of Businessmen. Bob was also a life member of Sertoma International (SI) which named him Outstanding State Director in 1975. He was a two-term Indiana State Director, past board chairman of Sertoma Charities, Inc., past president and charter member of the Nora Sertoma Clubs and named Indiana's Outstanding Sertoman in 1977. He was game director 1984-86 of the three college All-Star Charity Basketball games sponsored by the Elks and the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Earlier, he has been in charge of five similar games for the Indiana Sertoma Clubs. Bob was a past president and director of the Western Seniors' Golf Association, past member of the Indiana State Senior Golf Association, the American Lung Association of Indiana Golf Alliance (receiving, with his wife Adair, the Outstanding Service award in 2000), and the old Fort Harrison Golf Club. Survived by his wife, Adair W. Gardner, oldest daughter Diana Lea (husband Michael Lea), granddaughter Rachel Lea, Step-daughter Wendy Watson, brother Charles E. Gardner, sister Lillian Seidler. Preceded in death by his youngest daughter Tracy Hudson. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, November 28, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Stratford at West Clay, located at Glebe and Towne Road (north of 126th Street and Towne at round-a-bout), Carmel, IN. Inurnment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Bob, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to the American Lung Associaton. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel.