R. Michael Henderson

Robert Michael Henderson, 87, passed away on October 2, 2026, at his home in Sarasota, FL. He was born to Louis F. and Thelma Albea Henderson on September 20, 1939. A native Hoosier, he was educated in Indiana, attended Covington High School and Wabash College, where he became a member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity. He graduated from the College of Business Administration at Butler University in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Bilsland, in 1961.

A barber’s son, he was the first in his family to graduate from college and the first to get a passport. While working full time at the IU Medical Center in the 1960s, he and a business partner opened their first nursing care facility. He went on to own and operate a number of skilled nursing health care facilities with several business partners, and eventually a variety of diverse businesses spanning multiple industries in the US and abroad. Opportunities found him due to his strong work ethic, sound reasoning, financial acumen and management skills. His generosity, kindness and honesty were admired by all who met him.

His life was changed when he and his wife Nancy fell in love with the Caribbean. Though they traveled extensively all over the world, they most treasured their time in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, where they built a home, invested in businesses, including Tortola Yacht Services, and made many friends for over 40 years. They were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sea Cow’s Bay.

An avid reader and lifelong learner, friends knew that they could always ask what he was reading, and he delighted in sharing. He was an unapologetic Anglophile who loved classic cars, the Scottish Highlands, the sight of cows grazing in fields, watching Book TV and delegating tasks to anyone who was standing within earshot, at any time. He was possibly the only person to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Economist, The New Yorker and Country Life magazines. He had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of American History.

His dry sense of humor and clever wit were cherished by his friends and family. His kindness and humility will outlive him in the many charitable organizations he and Nancy quietly created and supported throughout the world.

Generosity and stewardship were his guiding tenets, which he expressed continually in thought, word and action. He created a legacy of charitable giving and was delighted to see this spirit of generosity and responsibility in his children and grandchildren.

He was profoundly grateful to have had a full life that was centered in and surrounded by a close family. Surviving are his three children: son Brian (Louise), daughter Lisa Acker (Rob) and daughter Kay Gerhardinger (Joe), as well as nine grandchildren: Glennis Henderson (Michael Lewis), Allison Henderson, Kristen Henderson (Piotr Bajda), Ian Acker, Calvin Acker, Wils Acker (Cristina Nevelits), Anna Gerhardinger, Mary Gerhardinger and William Gerhardinger. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Susan Orr Henderson, brother-in-law Hank (Marsha) Bilsland, several nephews, nieces and other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife and partner of 55 years, Nancy Bilsland Henderson and his brother Joseph D. Henderson.

He was a member of the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal in Sarasota, Florida, and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Port Clinton, Ohio.

He served many organizations as a board or trustee member: Butler University, the Salvation Army, Seabury Western Theological Seminary, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Indianapolis and Old National Bank. He was a member of Rotary Clubs in Indianapolis Northeast and Tortola, BVI.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Francis-In-The-Fields Episcopal Church, 1525 Mulberry St., Zionsville, Indiana, where he was a member when he lived in Indiana. A reception will be held at the church at 11:30 am, following the service. He will be laid to rest in a private graveside service with his wife, mother and father at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Covington, Indiana. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Circle Trail Fund of Western Indiana Community Foundation or a charity of your choice.