Robert M. Lynch
February 3, 1938 ~ December 1, 2021
Robert M. Lynch, 83, lifelong Indianapolis resident, passed away December 1, 2021. Bob was born February 3, 1938, to the late John and Mildred (Dietrich) Lynch. Bob was married to the love of his life, Dorothy Jean “Dottie” (Woerdeman), who preceded him in death in 2013.
He graduated from Sacred Heart High School and proudly served in the United States Air Force. Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. He enjoyed a successful career in banking, working for Indiana National Bank, retiring from Bank One as the Vice President of Operations.
A devout Catholic, Bob was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. It is difficult to think about the Knights of Columbus without thinking about Bob Lynch, and vice versa. Bob was a member of the K of C Council 3660 and the Bishop Chatard Assembly 245. He served as State Deputy, District Master and on the Indiana K of C Charities Fund Board for the Indiana State Council. He was past Grand Knight of Council 3660 and the present Financial Secretary for Council 3660. Bob was awarded the Layman of the Year in 2006 by the Bishop Chatard Assembly 245. Bob was also very involved with Gibault Children’s Services. He served in various roles on the Gibault Board of Trustees, including chairman and vice chairman, from 1998 until his passing. He also served on the Gibault Care Board and was past president of the Gibault Foundation Board. Bob was also very involved in Knights of Columbus Bowling, serving as Executive Secretary of the International Knights of Columbus Bowling Association. Additionally, he was secretary of the Sacred Heart/Holy Name Bowling League for years.
Bob loved to travel with Dottie, especially cruising. He was described as his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader – often to be found on the sidelines of sporting events, cheering on his family. Bob never met a stranger and loved being sociable and keeping up with family and friends. Always proud of his Irish heritage, he was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a proud Notre Dame fan and Roncalli High School supporter. He had a true gift of making people feel special. He was Papa Bob to not only his own grandchildren, but many extended relatives and friends. Bob will be fondly remembered by his loving family and many friends for his devotion to his faith, family, and his community.
In addition to his parents and Dottie, Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Waddick; granddaughter, Kaitlin M. Lynch.
Survivors include his son, Marty (Kathleen) Lynch; daughter, Jeannie (Kevin) Massing; grandchildren, Sean (KG), Daniel (Lindsey), and Kerry Lynch, Devon (Stephanie), Brendan and Rob Massing; great grandchildren, Emma, Brantley, Finley, and Wade Lynch; Lexie, Sophie, and Theo Massing; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Waddick; Diane Woerdeman, Kathy and Marvin Baker, Chuck and Rhonda Woerdeman.
Bob’s Life Celebration® Visitation will be Sunday, December 5, 2021, 2 to 7 p.m., at the O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. Prayers will be said at 9:30 Monday, December 6, 2021, at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m., in St. Mark Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Katie’s Hope Foundation, 5841 Trophy Oaks Court, Indianapolis, IN 46237 or to Gibault, Inc., PO Box 2316 Terre Haute, IN 47802. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Sending our deepest sympathies to you all~
A Grand Knight…..and a GRAND man! So glad Joe and I saw you at Jimmy’s Diner in late October! Rest in peace, Bob. You’ve earned it. Bonnie Schott
Bob impacted so many lives. He will be missed. So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love and prayers being sent for comfort and strength. Tina, Jenifer, and Diane.
Bob was the voice of reason at all Gibault board meetings. He was always the greatest cheerleader behind our mission. I am going to forever miss him ❤️ Michele Madley
Bob and Dottie were the perfect couple. I went to Scecina with Dottie. She was my roommate on the senior trip. I worked with Bob 25+ years at INB. Seven members of my family was on one of the K of C cruises led by Bob and Dottie around the Hawaiian Islands in 1984. They were the perfect social couple; even if you hadn’t seen them for a year or more, you were always greeted with a smile and easy, comfortable conversation as though you had just had dinner with the the night before. Deepest condolences to Martie and Jeannie and their families. Rest in Peace Bob, it was a privilege to know you.
With heartfelt condolences,
Bob was a man of charity, wisdom, and practical know-how. He encouraged me and helped me for many years. Our relationship began when the St. Malachy Knights of Columbus Council was chartered during his term as State Secretary in 1999. I greatly enjoyed working with him on projects, events, and even meetings for the Indiana State Council, Indianapolis Chapter, Bishop Chatard Assembly, and Gibault Board of Trustees. It was a pleasure to know him and Dottie. I hope they are together again on the greatest of all cruises. Sheila and I miss them greatly. May Our Lord Jesus Christ grant them peace and give strength to their family.
My condolences to the Lynch family. Theodore Schott
Bob was a very kind man in his brief stay on earth. He loved his Faith, his Family, his Church and the Knights. His guidance on the proposal that I made was a big help.
Bob was someone I met a few years ago when I joined the Gibault board. I felt as though I had known him for many, many years. He was always in all ways welcoming and friendly. We teased one another about Roncalli vs Cathedral. What a great guy ! Condolences to the family. I will miss Bob. Bro. Roy Smith, CSC
So sorry to the Lynch family on Bob’s passing… I got to work with Bob counting Sunday collections at St. Jude…always had fun and we shared many stories of when we both worked at Indiana National Bank. May God bless his soul..
I would love seeing Bob at the tournaments for the Knights of Columbus. Going to miss a great man. Please Except my condolences David Moone Daniel Dowling 1063 Chicago
Bob was my boss right out of High School! We road to work everyday for 15 years. When my kids were sick or recitals at school. Dottie always filled in so I could go to work. Kristina and Nathan called her Grandma! When we lived in Atlanta they would always call in between flights going on a cruise. Even came to visit! Bob and Dottie will always have a piece of my Heart!
US Air Force in memory of Robert M. Lynch
Jeannie, My dad, Frank Herbertz, was always a big supporter of your father at the K of C. God reward him for his generous heart. Jesus comfort your family.
Please accept our condolences and count on our prayers. Bob will be remembered for his dedication to the Knights of Columbus. John and Deb Madden
With love and fond memories, Mike, Mary, Hadyn, Luci, Bella, and Landon Ball
Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you. With love from your lake neighbors, Jim, Cherie, Dan, Amanda, Steve, Kelly, Henry, Owen and Jack
Bob was a great mentor to everyone. PSD Norm Stoffel will miss him and wants his family to how very sorry he is for their loss.Norm and Sandy Stoffel
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Love & prayers to you all during this time of sorrow. He will be greatly missed. Debbie Lewis
I only met Bob about 5 years ago. I was the first Knight from 3660 that I met. I was dropping off my application at the council bounding and he greeted me with a huge smile. I will never forget it because it made me know I was doing the right thing by joining the Knights. Since then we have been at way too many Knights events for me to write here. We loved to throw friendly barbs at each other but I had so much respect for him. We often say together at the council breakfasts and he would tell me stories from his past and the “good old days” and his time in the air force. He even sent me an update for the Cross and Compass from the hospital. I will miss our time together and his positive attitude.
He was the first Knight I met*
I got to know Bob as a colleague and a friend at INB Bank several years ago. More recently, I got to know Bob, his family and grandkids as part of the Roncalli family. He was a great man of family and faith and I was proud to know him as a friend. Tom Price
Bob and I were classmates in grade and high school. He was also a very dear friend and will be forever missed. Love you Bob. From Dave Davis
I worked with Bob for so many years at INB. We were good friends. I saw him off and on over the years, primarily at the INB reunions. Our talks were mostly about family and how we were getting along. I considered Bob to be a great role model and to have led an exemplary life. I was deeply saddened to hear about Bob’s death. I will always remember Bob with a great fondness.
I first met Bob when he coached my 8th grade football team at Sacred Heart. Bob became my mentor and remained so all through my life especially my time as Grand Knight at Council 3660. It’s hard to lose someone like Bob but the consolation is that he’s reunited with his beloved Dottie! They were a team in everything they did and served as an inspiration to other married couples. Thank you and Rest In Peace my friend!
Bob was our classmate. A good husband, father, and friend. After years of convincing me it was very safe to cruise. We’ll I had the most wonderful time ever. He was a leader, caring, sincere person. He will be missed. He now went to his reward and will be with his life long partner, Dotty. Condolences to the family. Marie & Jack Wood