James Robert Bishop

James Robert “Bob” Bishop passed away on November 5. 2026, at the age of 73. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Elsie and James P. Bishop, Bob’s family moved to Indianapolis in his early childhood, where he was raised. Upon graduating from Shortridge High School in 1971, he followed the footsteps of his father, a World War II veteran, to enlist in the U.S. Army. After several years enlisted, Bob enrolled in ROTC at Indiana University, graduating in 1978 and becoming an officer. Later that year, he completed both Airborne and Ranger School, joining the ranks of the Army’s elite. Soon thereafter, in 1979 Bob completed his Master’s in Russian Language and Literature from Indiana University. During the course of his accomplished career he served across the U.S. as well as Korea, Germany, and Russia. He took great pride in his 10 years at the U.S. Embassy in Russia, where he served as a linguist and a representative on the POW/MIA commission, resolving the fates of American and Russian wartime prisoners and missing soldiers. It was during this time that he met his loving wife, Mila. After 35 years of military service, Bob retired in 2006 at the rank of Colonel to focus on his family and returned to live in Indianapolis. In his words, his greatest accomplishment of all was raising his children and providing for the love of his life. Bob is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mila; his two brothers: Ron and Gerald; and his three sons: Daniel, David, and Gregory. Bob will be dearly missed by his community, friends, and family.