Robert “Bob” R. Park, the first chairman of the Community Bankers Association of Indiana and a former regional president of the Indiana Bankers Association, passed away Aug. 23, 2023, at his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida. He was 100 years old. Park retired in 1987 after 45 years of service at Merchants National Bank, now First Merchants Bank, Muncie, ending his career as executive senior vice president and a member of the bank’s board. He was honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash and served as scoutmaster and a Council advisory board member for the Delaware County Boy Scouts; 12 years as a board member for the Delaware County School Corporation, including two years as board president; an advisory board member and state chair for Future Business Leaders of America; and treasurer of the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-46.
Richard R. Haynes, a past chairman of the Indiana League of Savings Institutions, passed away July 13, 2024. He was 92 years old.
James “Jim” Morris, vice chair of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and former board member of Old National Bank, Evansville, passed away July 12. He was 81. A giant in Indianapolis economic development, Morris helped steer “Unigov,” the process by which the governments of Indianapolis and Marion County merged, during his six years as chief of staff to then-Mayor Richard Lugar from 1967-73; helped create Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, now Indiana University-Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis; helped develop Market Square Arena and establish the Indiana Sports Corp.; served as president of the Lilly Endowment; chaired the Indianapolis Water Corp.; and led the World Food Programme. His career began in banking at American Fletcher National Bank, which is now part of Chase Bank, New York. Morris earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s degree from Butler University and 17 honorary doctorates.
