Robert Carl "Bob" Roeder

1947 - 2020

Robert Carl "Bob" Roeder

Robert Carl "Bob" Roeder died on March 21 at the age of 72. Bob was born in Evansville Indiana in 1947. Bob's father died in 1956 when Bob was 9 years old and he was raised by his mother Mildred, along with his sister Janice who was 2 years younger than Bob and his brother Rick who was 9 years younger than Bob. Bob attended Emanuel Lutheran Church at 1st Avenue and Franklin Street until his teen-age years. Bob was a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in 1963. Bob graduated from F. J. Reitz High School in 1965.

After graduation, Bob worked full-time at Whirlpool Corporation, while also attending Indiana State University Evansville, now the University of Southern Indiana ("USI"). Bob was the founder of the Student Union Board and served as President for three years. Mr. Roeder also was a member of Student Government, a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and Co-chair of the Student Drive for Books for the new USI Dr. David L. Rice Library. He graduated with the first graduation class in 1971 and received the Outstanding Student Achievement Award that year.

In 1975, Mr. Roeder was the first recipient of the USI Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2010, Bob was the Commencement Speaker for the USI graduation ceremony and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. Bob received the President's Associates Perpetual Members Award in 2013 and the Suzanne A. Nicholson Leadership Award in 2015. In 2016, Bob received the USI "Spirit of the Eagle Award".

Mr. Roeder's initial job after graduation from USI was as an Employment Counselor for the Indiana Employment Security Division. In 1972, he transferred to the Personnel Division for the State of Indiana as a Compensation Analyst. In 1973, he became Director of Compensation and in 1976, Mr. Roeder was appointed Personnel Director for the State of Indiana by Governor Otis Bowen. Mr. Roeder received a Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Bowen and also received a Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Orr.

Mr. Roeder was a Principal and Senior Human Capital Consultant in Mercer Inc.'s Indianapolis office for 35 years, specializing in executive compensation, employee rewards and human resources management consulting. Bob was a nationally recognized executive compensation consultant to tax-exempt organizations.

All services and visitations will be finalized as travel restrictions are amended so that we can gather together to celebrate an extraordinary life. Events will happen both in Indianapolis and at the University of Southern Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Day of School Foundation Roeder Endowment, PO Box 4069, Hamilton, NJ 08610, the University of Southern Indiana Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712, or St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN. 46228.

The family has established an email address to share stories of Bob until we are gathered together. Please send your favorites to bobroederstories@gmail.com for us to enjoy now, and for our future generations to appreciate.

A complete obituary and an opportunity to share comments is available at www.flannerbuchanan.com/obit.