Robert C. Roeder

Robert C (“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 worked as a stock clerk in Tommy’s Key Market, a small grocery store, while
attending high school. He 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 became
very active in a variety of organizations on USI’s campus. Bob was the founder of the
Student Union Board (now called the Student Activities Committee) 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 he also received the In Gratitude Award Planning Committee & Cabinet Member
Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence Award that year. In 1986, 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. His initial job in State Personnel was as a
Compensation Analyst. In 1973, he became Director of Compensation for the State and
in 1974 and 1975 Bob co-chaired a Task Force on Job Classification and Compensation.
He also worked on special projects for the Governor’s office. In 1976, Mr. Roeder was
appointed Personnel Director for the State of Indiana by Governor Otis Bowen. He
continued in that role until July of 1981, when he decided to pursue a compensation and
human resources management consulting career. 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.

Bob was an active member of the USI Foundation Board, the Society for Human
Resource Management, the St. Monica Catholic Church Men’s Club and the American
Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration. In 1995 he received an
Honorary Lifetime award from the Indiana Society for Healthcare Human Resources
Administration. He was also an active supporter of Business Professionals of America –
for over 20 years he annually judged the Human Resources Management contest.

Mr. Roeder was preceded in death by his father Robert Carl Roeder and his mother
Mildred Marie Detroy Roeder Esparza. He is survived by his brother Richard Allen
Roeder, his sister Janice Marie Roeder Johnsen and his half-sister Julie Esparza.

Bob is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Anne (Nasser) Roeder. He is also survived
by their two children, Gretchen Marie Roeder Holquist and Jeffrey Robert Roeder and
their respective spouses, Corey Holquist and Ramie Roeder. In addition, he is survived
by his grandchildren, Jeremy, Ryan and Michelle Holquist and Dagny and Carter Roeder.

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 [email protected] for us to
enjoy now, and for our future generations to appreciate.