Robert (Bob) E. Houk, 89, died on February 28, 2010 at the Florida Baptist Retirement Center, Vero Beach, FL. Bob, born September 11, 1920 in Mooreland, Indiana, was the only child of Lillian Richardson Houk and Glen U. Houk. Raised in Alexandria, Indiana, Bob graduated cum laude from DePauw University as a Rector Scholar in 1942. He then served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant, USNR, and was the Commanding Officer of the USS SC 1278, PCS 1429 and PCS 1424, patrol and escort vessels in the Caribbean, South Pacific and Philippine theaters until the end of World War II. Bob married his college sweetheart, Marion Pfitzner, in 1942, and enjoyed almost 68 years together as best friends. After moving to Indianapolis, Bob began his career as a real estate broker with the F.C. Tucker Company, eventually becoming a managing partner and executive vice president of the states largest full service real estate firm. He served on the boards of Citizens Gas and Coke Utility, First Indiana Federal Savings Bank, and State Life Insurance Company. Bob was also very active in the Indianapolis community where he was on the boards of Community Hospital, The Childrens Museum, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation, DePauw University Alumni Association, Flanner House and Meridian Street United Methodist Church. He was inducted into the Indiana Academy. Bob was a director and president of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors, and was a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Institute of Real Estate Management, Urban Land Institute, and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He was an avid golfer who belonged to Meridian Hills Country Club, Indianapolis, plus The Moorings and Hawks Nest Clubs in Vero Beach, FL. Bob is survived by his wife, Marion, children David C. Houk (Amy) and Julie Houk Goodrich (David), and his grandchildren, Kai, Katie, Judd, Chris and Jonika who affectionately thought of him as Poppie.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 6134, Indianapolis, IN 46206, the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208 or DePauw University, Greencastle, IN 46135.