C. Robert Millikan

Robert Millikan, better known as CRM, CR, Bob, or Grandad, truly believed that he would somehow beat death, but alas – he did not. But what he did not do was “lose” – he absolutely won at living life. Bob truly lived his life to the fullest each day – he found joy in the basic, everyday parts of life, so long as they were centered around family and friends. He lived 87 glorious years, from July 6, 1935 – October 16, 2022. He loved his toast dry and his bacon crisp, had a crooked Mensa sticker on his 1985 GMC Caballero for as long as we can remember, loved a Black Russian with a side of Bud Light, and played chess until his final days.

Bob grew up in rural southern Illinois (near Equality), the third son to Eschol “Eck” and Mattie (Dutton) Millilkan. Bob was the smarty pants of the family and loved to brag about how he graduated high school at age 14. His older brothers Loren and Bill preceded him in death. His sister Vivian got to enjoy one last visit with her two remaining brothers before Bill passed away last month. She’s had a heck of a month – you should give her a call.

Bob and his wife Loretta (Hunt) married in 1954. They moved to the Lafayette area, settling in Dayton, where Bob lived out the rest of his life. They had three children who were loved unconditionally. Bobby, who gave his dad hell and who also made him immensely proud as he followed in his footsteps in their accounting business. Terry, who inherited his independence and strength, and whose only flaw is that she is a girl. And Rodney, who was the apple of his eye, and who Bob was sure has no flaws at all. Loretta preceded Bob in death in 1969, leaving him to raise these three kids as a single dad, and he did what many dads in that era didn’t — he showed up. He and his family had the support of lifelong neighbors and friends – his best friend Shorty Taylor, Paul and Betty Winstead and family, Rollin and Nina Taylor and all of the Taylors, and many others in the Dayton community. Bob liked to consider himself a skirt chaser, and he went on to marry two wonderful ladies – Marilyn and Jody – but his heart always belonged to Loretta and his children.

Bob had a successful and prosperous career, which allowed him to live a life of generosity. He made the move from Illinois to work for Berger Steel, and then started an independent firm with his friend Gary Leighty. He built a large enough nest egg to allow him to continue his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1978 at the age of 42. Afterwards C.R.M. CPA and Associates was born, where Bob thrived as an entrepreneur and continued serving clients across the area until his death.

Bob grew from “Dad” into “Grandad,” and he wore that title with pride. He has 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, at least half of which are sure they were his favorite. Grandad would take carloads of kids to the movies every Saturday night from the 1970s to the 2000s. He was always there for sick days, performances, birthday parties, pizza night, dinner at Treece’s, and as a chauffeur to work/school/airport or wherever else we needed him. He always said yes. Grandad brought joy, safety, guidance, deep conversation, and intense debates to the lives of so many of us, and his absence leaves a void that we aren’t even able to begin to understand. Please join us in your best white t-shirt and blue jeans to swap stories as we celebrate his life on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 1-5pm, exactly the way he wanted it: with a party down at the creek at the end of Adams Road (sorry for the construction – you’ll have to take Wyandotte Rd to 900 and then take 38 to Adams Road). Wheeee . . . !