Obituary for Robert Henry Distelhorst Jr.
Robert Henry Distelhorst, Jr. of Bloomington, IN passed away on October 29, 2021 at Brookdale Senior Living. He was 90.
Born on March 28, 1931 in Kansas City, MO, he was the son of Robert Henry and Genevieve (McCall) Distelhorst. His family moved from Kansas City to Bloomington in 1945. He attended University High School where he ran cross country and played trombone. His trombone skill was so good he ended up playing professionally for Bernie Vance’s band after his senior year in high school. Bob was a graduate of Indiana University School of Business Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. He was also enrolled in the ROTC program. He served in the US Air Force as a first lieutenant and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War era.
Bob spent the majority of his career in the banking and finance Industry, in both Savings and Loan/ Mortgage Banking as a commodities broker in Chicago and Washington, DC. Bob fulfilled one of his dreams by getting his private glider pilot’s license. He retired in 1992 and returned to Bloomington to be near family and friends and the IU campus. Upon his return, Bob volunteered at Bloomington Hospital and enjoyed working at the gift shop there. Bob will always be remembered for his love of music, theater, sailing, soaring, rowing and traveling.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews: Charles Gregory (Marilyn), Bloomington; Martha Hylton (Chad), Baltimore, MD; Cynthia Turner (Carl Harvey), Wayland, MA; Lynn Turner Surum and Robert Turner, as well as several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Claire Gregory and sister Patricia Turner.
A memorial service is planned for May 12, 2023 at 3:00pm at Valhalla Memorial Gardens – Honor Garden section. Anyone wishing to attend, please leave your name and contact info with The Funeral Chapel at info@thefuneralchapel.net or by calling the funeral home so we can have an idea of the number of Bob’s friends that will be in attendance. Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe County Public Library Foundation, IU-Health Foundation - Bloomington, or the charity of one’s choice.
Born on March 28, 1931 in Kansas City, MO, he was the son of Robert Henry and Genevieve (McCall) Distelhorst. His family moved from Kansas City to Bloomington in 1945. He attended University High School where he ran cross country and played trombone. His trombone skill was so good he ended up playing professionally for Bernie Vance’s band after his senior year in high school. Bob was a graduate of Indiana University School of Business Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. He was also enrolled in the ROTC program. He served in the US Air Force as a first lieutenant and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War era.
Bob spent the majority of his career in the banking and finance Industry, in both Savings and Loan/ Mortgage Banking as a commodities broker in Chicago and Washington, DC. Bob fulfilled one of his dreams by getting his private glider pilot’s license. He retired in 1992 and returned to Bloomington to be near family and friends and the IU campus. Upon his return, Bob volunteered at Bloomington Hospital and enjoyed working at the gift shop there. Bob will always be remembered for his love of music, theater, sailing, soaring, rowing and traveling.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews: Charles Gregory (Marilyn), Bloomington; Martha Hylton (Chad), Baltimore, MD; Cynthia Turner (Carl Harvey), Wayland, MA; Lynn Turner Surum and Robert Turner, as well as several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Claire Gregory and sister Patricia Turner.
A memorial service is planned for May 12, 2023 at 3:00pm at Valhalla Memorial Gardens – Honor Garden section. Anyone wishing to attend, please leave your name and contact info with The Funeral Chapel at info@thefuneralchapel.net or by calling the funeral home so we can have an idea of the number of Bob’s friends that will be in attendance. Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe County Public Library Foundation, IU-Health Foundation - Bloomington, or the charity of one’s choice.