Robert "Bob" Lee Gildea

The 93-year-old Gildea was senior vice president of Sease, Gerig & Associates, an Indianapolis-based public relations and management consulting firm. During his time with SGA, formerly known as Howard S. Wilcox, Inc., he was either personally or professionally involved in nearly every significant event in Indianapolis.

A Bloomington, Ind. native, Bob held A.B. (1954) and M.A. (1964) degrees in journalism from Indiana University, where he was an Ernie Pyle Scholar for two years. During his service as an Army officer from 1954 to 1956, he was managing editor of the Fort Dix Post. Following his military service, Bob was the city editor and later the news editor of the Bloomington Herald-Telephone (now the Herald-Times). In late 1957, he became public relations director of the Indiana Area of The Methodist Church, where he served for 14 years. He subsequently joined the public relations firm, then known as Howard S. Wilcox, Inc., in July 1971.

Bob served two terms as president of the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He became an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America in 1969 and served as president of its Hoosier Chapter in 1974. He received the chapter’s “Excellence in Professional Service Award” in 2003. A member of the Indianapolis Public Relations Society since 1983, he served as its president. He was named an “Indiana PR Legend” by the group in 2009, the second recipient of the honor.

Bob served on the boards of Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, Ind., for nine years and the Methodist Health Foundation for 12 years. In 2007, he was elected as the first and only Life Member of the Economic Club of Indiana in recognition of 34 years of service to the organization. During this time, he wrote most of the speaker introductions for the Economic Club President.

He was the former board chairman of the Edyvean Repertory Theatre, past president of the Society for Advanced Study at I.U., a former director of the Columbia Club and Indianapolis Press Club, and past president of the Indianapolis Literary Club. Bob also served on the Executive Council of the I.U. Alumni Association for three years and as vice-chairman of the I.U. School of Nursing Advisory Board for six years. He received a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1999 from Governor Frank O’Bannon.

Bob was an instructor in public relations at I.U. Bloomington, IUPUI, Butler University, and Ball State University, teaching for a combined 18 years (1966–1983). He trained hundreds of aspiring journalists and public relations professionals during this time.

A frequent contributor to professional journals and business periodicals, Bob was the author of a 12-part booklet series, “Fundamentals of Free Enterprise,” for American Fletcher National Bank, which won citations from the Freedoms Foundation.

Bob is survived by Donna, his stunning wife of 43 years; his daughter, Sarah Sieradski, and her husband, Dan, of Parma, Ohio; and a son, Brad, and his wife, Debbie, of San Antonio, Texas. Brad has two children, Shannon and Gregory, of San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey, of Indianapolis, who passed away in 2019 after a battle with cancer.

Bob is also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, along with their families, including Aaron and his wife, Lacey, and their daughter, Madilyn Gildea; Katy Keppner and her husband, Kyle, and their twins, Eli and Evelyn Keppner; and Christopher Gildea.

Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery is handling arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at 10:00 a.m., with a religious service following at 11:30 a.m. A sports-themed fellowship meal of hot dogs and hamburgers will follow the service, and then a public burial will take place, which will include a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps. Please take a few hours to accept Bob’s “THANK YOU” to all of you.

Bob planned these events to say “Thank you” to all he worked with and admired during his life. We have taken care of our visitors to make it easier for all to celebrate him. A PR Man even as he enters the other side.

A visitation for Bob will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. An interment and presentation of military honors will occur Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.