H. Richard -Dick- Mcfarland

H. Richard “Dick” McFarland of Indianapolis, longtime businessman, community leader, and philanthropist died peacefully Wednesday night after a brief illness, he was 86.

Born in 1930 Dick was raised on a family farm in Hoopeston Illinois with two brothers Donald and Wilkie McFarland and sister Mary Joan Sims. Growing up on a working family farm taught him the necessity of hard work and the value of community. Dick left the farm for the University of Illinois where he embraced the campus life and took on several leadership positions, he was well loved by many. He served as senior class president in 1952 an exciting year in which the fighting Illini won the Rose Bowl, he graduated with a degree in agriculture hoping to be a farmer.

After college Dick spent two years as an officer in the United States Air Force serving in the Korean War. Returning home his mother would say “sometimes it can be hard to make a living farming so you better have a backup plan”, he listened to this advice. Dick ventured off into the world of corporate American. Dick found great success with companies such as Keebler Cookies and Campbell Soup, which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world representing business interests and establishing himself as a staunch negotiator. Prior to starting his own company McFarland Foods Corp he was vice-president of purchasing at KFC Corp. On New Year’s Eve 1967 Dick married Sarah “Sally” and eventually their path led them to Indianapolis where they established deep roots in the community. They found a spiritual home at Second Presbyterian Church where they were active and devoted members, both working on various committees and serving as elders.

As president of McFarland Foods Corp Dick created a thriving entity operating as many as forty-five fast foods restaurants throughout Central Indiana, Kentucky and Florida. Once success unfolded philanthropy became very important to Dick and his wife Sally. Together they were the donors of the McFarland Student and Alumni Center in the ACES Library at the University of Illinois, which they dedicated to his mother and father, Jennie and Arthur Bryan McFarland. Dick lived up to his beliefs by generously donating major contributions to art, cultural, religious, science, universities and schools throughout the country including Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, IU ovarian cancer research, University of Illinois and the McFarland Early Americana Museum.

In 2003 after thirty-six years of marriage Sally succumbed to ovarian cancer. Shortly after Sally’s passing Dick made it possible to build the McFarland Memorial Bell Tower, which is a 185-foot bell tower located on the South Quad of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During this time he also gifted Second Presbyterian Church a major challenge grant to jump-start the funding for a beautiful three story expansion on the north-end of the church. The expansion included a large Hall that was graciously named “McFarland Hall” and dedicated to Sally. Dick spent the later years of his life overseeing the family farming operations in Illinois, he loved to drive around the fields surrounding his home-town and watch the progress of the crops.

Throughout his lifetime Dick received numerous awards most notably; Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom, City of Indianapolis Distinguished Citizen, State of Indiana Distinguished Hoosier and multiple awards from corporate entities.
Friends may visit with the family Sunday, July 2nd from 2 to 4 p.m. at Flanner & Buchanan-Carmel 325 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel.
Funeral services will be held Monday July 3rd 11 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street. Interment will follow at Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston, IL.

In addition to his sister Mary J. Sims, Dick is survived by nieces Marian Sims and Jennie Scott, nephews Michael McFarland and David Sims, foster sons Robert Terhune and Phillip Laxer.

Memorial contributions may be made to IU Simon Cancer Center. Please make memorial gifts payable to IU Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research. IU Simon Cancer Center, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207 or to the Illinois 4-H Foundation 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite E Champaign, IL 61821. Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.