Robert Allen Bennett

Robert A. (Bob) Bennett, 100, passed away peacefully at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, September 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Patricia Meredith Bennett. Bob was born April 25, 1925, in Shelbyville, Indiana where he lived most of his life. Well known as the owner of Todd-Bennett Clothier in Shelbyville, Bob also took a leading role in a number of local organizations throughout his life.

He was a 1943 graduate of Shelbyville High School. At the outset of World War II, Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a Navigator with the Fifteenth Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal for “extraordinary achievement in aerial flight in the Mediterranean theatre of operations”. With help from the GI Bill, he attended DePauw University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. It was there that he met Patricia Meredith of Muncie, Indiana. They were married in 1949, the year they both graduated, and settled in Shelbyville, Indiana.

Bob joined his father at Todd-Bennett, taking over ownership after his father passed away in 1965. For many years, the store was one of the few in the area selling men’s clothing and earned a loyal customer base. Todd-Bennett also provided jobs for several local high school students. Bob served as a mentor to these young men well into their adulthood.

In addition to time spent at the store, Bob lent his talents to a number of civic activities including two terms on the Shelbyville School Board in the 1960’s and was instrumental in having the city purchase the land where the High School and Middle School stand today. He was active in the founding of the Shelby County United Fund and served as Drive Chairman and Director. He also served a President of the Shelbyville Boys Club. He was a member and past President of the Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge where he served as Exulted Ruler, the Indiana CPA Society and the United Methodist Church in Shelbyville.

After 35 years, Bob sold the store in 1981 but continued his involvement with several local businesses and initiatives. He served on the Farmers National Bank (now National City) Board for 25 years and as Director of Forest Hill Cemetery for 20 years. In a joint effort to bring more jobs to the Shelbyville area in the late ‘70s, he was an early Director and Officer of Shelby Industrial Development and Shelby Industries. At the same time, he began to play Duplicate Bridge, earning Bronze Life Master Status.

In his 70’s, Bob audited accounting classes while his wife was teaching an art history course at Indiana/Purdue University in Indianapolis. He passed the CPA exam 18 months later.

Bob and Pat relocated to Nashville several years ago to be closer to family and loved the chance to see their daughters and grandchildren on a more regular basis.

Bob is survived by daughters Meredith (Joseph) Oliver of Beaufort, SC, Sarah Ramsey (Jay) of Nashville, grandchildren Meredith (Andrew) Kalt, Helen (Ryan) Rominiecki, John (Molly) Ramsey and great-grandchildren James and Brooks Kalt, Mills and Bennett Rominiecki and Annie and Tilly Ramsey.

The family would like to thank Bob and Pat’s wonderful and kind caregivers, Kay and Kevin Carter and Rhonda Raphael among others as well as the staff at The Blakeford where he resided. A memorial service will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Shelbyville next spring. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Shelby Country United Fund, 126 Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176.