Earl B. Herr Jr., Ph.D.

Earl B. Herr, Jr., Ph.D. A longtime Eli Lilly executive and member of the board of directors, has died after a long illness. He was 76 years old. Dr. Herr retired from Eli Lilly in 1992, after a 35-year career with the company. At the time of his retirement, he was responsible for Lilly's research and development activities and manufacturing operations. He had been a member of Lilly's board of directors since 1971 and executive vice-president of the corporation since 1986. Dr. Herr was born in Langcater, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Franklin and Marshall University with a degree in biochemistry, Dr. Herr earned a masters and doctorate degree from the University of Delaware. Following graduation from the University of Delaware, he did his post-doctorate work in protein chemistry at Cornell and at Brookhaven National Laboratory. He met his future wife, Elizabeth at Franklin and Marshall, where they were married in 1950. Dr. Herr joined Eli Lilly in 1957 as a biochemist. After holding management positions in research, development, and manufacturing, he was named vice-president of Biological Operations in 1968. He was promoted to president of Lilly Research Laboratories in 1973. Dr. Herr had a unique skill for building bridges between various groups, and his work at integrating research and development, plus manufacturing served Eli Lilly well. Under his leadership, Lilly developed several important products including Prozac ®, Ceclor ®, Humlin ®, and Humatrope ®. Dr. Herr served on the Board of Governors for Riley Children's Foundation from 1982-2003. He was elected a "Life Governor" for the Riley Children's Foundation in 2004. He also served on the Lilly Endowment Board of Directors from 1993-2004. Dr. Herr is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth; two daughters, Audrey Williams and Linda Dison; two sons-in-law, Wayne Williams and Steve Dison; and two beloved grandchildren, Robbie and Emily Williams. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 4, 2004 at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Carmel. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center - Broad Ripple. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society-Cancer Research. www.flannerbuchanan.com