H.W. "Hank" Ehlebracht

H.W. “Hank” Ehlebracht passed away on September 10, 2018 at the age of 91. Hank was born on May 9, 1927 in Chicago, IL. The second oldest of 8 siblings, he attended Homewood Grade School and Bloom High School. Hank served in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II and as his family knows, was a proud Shellback, not a Pollywog. After being discharged, he went to work for Stewart Warner Alemite in Chicago.  There he met the love of his life Abby Basso, who would become his wife of 53 years and mother of their 3 children; Jim, Lynne and Doug.  Hank and his young family moved to Indianapolis in 1952, where he continued to work for Stewart Warner as the Vice President of Sales.  In 1984, he made the great decision to work with his good friend Jack Kessler, joining Kesler-Schaefer Auto Auction. After 20+ years in the auction business, at the age of 80, he finally walked away, opting for the easy life.

A great athlete, Hank’s experiences ranged from playing basketball against the Harlem Globetrotters to playing amateur baseball during the war. It was ultimately golf that became his passion. Hank was a long time member of The Country Club of Indianapolis, winning its Club Championship twice.  In 2014, he was honored to be given their Lifetime Achievement Award. His overall list of golf accomplishments run deep with several team championships, including city/state father and son tournaments with both of his sons.  He regularly qualified for the Indiana State Amateur and his family loved cheering for him at Otter Creek. Hank’s game did not fade as he got older and he was consistently beating his age. He won the Indiana Senior State Amateur and qualified for the USGA Senior Open six times. The Indiana Golf Association recognized him with the Clifford E. Wagoner Memorial Award for his outstanding sportsmanship and high character.

Hank also gave back to the game he loved by serving as the President of the former Indianapolis District Golf Association, President of the Indiana Golf Association and a member of the Indiana State Senior Golf Association.  In 1978, he was co-chair of the USGA Women’s Open at CCI.

To know Hank was to love him.  He would light up a room with his big smile and his contagious laugh.  He adored and was adored by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who called him PopPops.  Hank loved his family, his friends, his Cubbies and was always up for a good game of cards.  If one would look up the definition of an eternal optimist, you would see the name Hank Ehlebracht.  Even on a cloudy day, Hank saw sunshine.  His legacy will shine in his loved ones’ hearts forever.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Abby, beloved sons Dr. Jim Ehlebracht and Doug Ehlebracht.  He is survived by his brother Phil (Barb) Ehlebracht; his daughter Lynne (Ken) Bush; Grandchildren Ryan (Susan) Ehlebracht, Gary (Emily) Ehlebracht, Courtney (Kirk) Taylor, Kyle Bush, Leslie Bush; and 4 Great Grandchildren, Reese, Paige, and Eden Taylor and Theo Ehlebracht.

Join us for a celebration of Hanks life on Saturday October 6, from 2-4pm at The Country Club of Indianapolis: 2801 Country Club Rd, Indianapolis IN. 46234.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: The First Tee of Indiana, PO Box 516, Franklin, IN 46131; payable to The Indiana Golf Foundation