Robert T Jeffares

Bob Jeffares died on Thursday January 26, 2012 at his home in West Lafayette Indiana following a long and determined battle against cancer. He was born August 27, 1935 in Birmingham, Alabama to Robert Carl and Reedie Glosson Jeffares. He had a twin brother, William (Billy) Jeffares with whom he attended Woodlawn high school, and University of Alabama. He graduated from college in 1957 with a degree in accounting. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, an experience that yielded several life long friendships. He and his brother served active military duty together in the National Guard from 1957 to 1965 where Bob rose to the rank of Captain.

Throughout his career, Bob served as controller and CFO for a number of industrial companies in the Midwest. From 1983 until the time of his retirement in 1998, Bob was employed at Great Lakes Chemical., where he was rose to Executive Vice President and CFO. In 1994 he was recognized by Business Week magazine as the 47th top CFO for all Fortune 500 companies. Bob also served on the Board of Directors of a number of companies, including Lafayette Bank and Trust, Huntsman Chemical, OCTEL and Radian Research.

Bob was active in his community, serving as Vice Chairman, President and Director of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Chairman of Stars and Stripes and President and Director of the Battle of Tippecanoe Outdoor Drama. He co-chaired the Long Center for the Performing Arts Restoration Committee and served as a Board Member at Large for United Way and the Tippecanoe Art Federation. He was on the President?s Council at Purdue University, where he was also a member of the John Purdue Club. He was involved in the Lafayette Rotary, Leadership Lafayette, Junior Achievement and served on the Board of the Lafayette Country Club. Bob was awarded Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Daniels in 2008, Indiana?s highest honor for distinguished humanitarian leadership.

Bob leaves behind his loving wife, Olga; his sons, Stuart Preston Jeffares and wife Kim of Birmingham Michigan; Jon Evan Jeffares, Robert Scott Jeffares and wife Pam, and Philip Austin Jeffares all of Indianapolis; as well as his step-daughters Nicole Paraskevas, of Lafayette and Darren Paraskevas of Carmel. Bob had 3 grandchildren, Lauren, Cameron-Jolie and Beckham, who were a source of great joy in his life. He was a loving and devoted husband, a mentor and role model for his children, a supporter of his community and was blessed throughout his life with many dear friends.
The family requests that those wishing to make Memorial contributions direct them to one of the following organizations: Long Center for the Performing Arts, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Central Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, St Elizabeth?s Hospice or the Robert T. Jeffares Scholarship fund at Purdue University.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Sunday Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909 Memorial Service 11:00 AM Monday Central Presbyterian Church. Private Entombment Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Mausoleum.