Robert E. Dickinson, 81, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Syracuse, Ind., died on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012.

He was born June 26, 1031, in Indianapolis to George and Eleanor Dickinson. He lived most of his life in Indianapolis except for a few of his early teen years in Tennessee and Kentucky.

He attended John Strange grade school, The Kentucky Military Academy, Broad Ripple High School, Wabash College and Indiana University. He was later a trustee at Franklin College for 25 years, served on the Franklin board as chairman for six years and holds an honorary doctorate from that college. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Over the years, Bob served as vice chairman of allocations while on the board of the United Way of Central Indiana. He was a board member of the YMCA and YMCA foundation. He also served as chairman on the founding board of the Child Support Center. He once held the office of trustee on the town of Williams Creek and was an Emeritius Member of the Junto of Indianapolis and was a member of Junto for 42 years.

He was also a volunteer Guardian ad Litem serving Sarasota County at-risk children. He was a member of the Young President’s Organization and the World President’s Organization, serving as Chairman of the Indiana chapter of YPO for two years.

Bob joined his father’s business, Mobile Drilling Co, in 1953 and later took the helm as president. He and his brother, Richard, developed the business world wide and enjoyed traveling and developing business in nearly every country in the world.  Bob was active in the drilling fraternity having served as president of the Diamond Core Drill Manufacturers Association, Founding Chairman of the International Drilling Federation, and later Chairman of the National Drilling Association.

Bob and Dottie have spent their retirement winters in Sarasota, Fla., and were a member of the Church of the Pslams and have enjoyed summer family gatherings at their Lake Wawasee house where he served 10 years as a volunteer deputy sheriff patrolling the lake on a part time basis. He also served several years on the Wawasee Property Owners Association; two years as chairman.

Bob loved sailing, hunting and golf but his greatest passion was his wife, Dottie, whom he met while attending KMI in Louisville, Ky. Their marriage of 60 years produced three great kids and eventually 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife: Dottie; his sons: Douglas (Karen) and David Dickinson; and his daughter: Cheryl (Tom) Sagehorn; two brothers: Richard (Helen) and David (Mimi) Dickinson; grandchildren: Kate (Jon) Clapp, Scott (Tracy) Sagehorn, Anne (John) Mannelly, Laura Sagehorn, Kristina (Nick) Hanna, Christopher Dickinson, Analise Dickinson, Julie (Derek) Dant, Drew Dickinson and Austin Dickinson; and great-grandchildren: Ben Clapp and Luke Sagehorn.

Family and Friends will gather from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel in Indianapolis. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in Second Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin College.