Robert Mannfeld

Robert L. Mannfeld 88, of Indianapolis, passed away on February 4, 2013. He was born on August 11, 1924 in Indianapolis and was the son of Robert Frank Mannfeld and I. LaVonne (Larrison) Mannfeld. He married Lois Anne Long of Bloomington, Indiana, on Oct 7, 1956. He was a Registered Professional Chemical Engineer, consultant, and inventor. He had worked for the U.S. Rubber Co., Third Century Venture, Key Oil, and Eli Lilly and Co. Bob retired from Eli Lilly and Co where he was involved for 38 years in process development, plant design, and construction and operation of various plants for the manufacture of both mammalian and biosynthetic insulin and antibiotics. Bob was a WW II veteran having been drafted into the Navy after several semesters at Purdue University. He reported for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station north of Chicago. While there, because of his previous college experience, he received a congressional appointment to the Midshipman's School at Columbia University. Upon receiving his officer's commission at Columbia, he was assigned to the Naval Base at Newport, Rhode Island. While there he was transferred to the USS Houston CL-81 and later to the USS Huntington CL-107 where he became a Plank Owner. He left active naval service in 1946 and was discharged from the Naval Reserves as a Lt. (jg) in 1956. In his youth he was very active in the Boy Scouts earning the Eagle Badge with palms and the Fire Crafter level in camping activities. He became interested in chemistry during junior high school. With help from one of his father's friends, he expanded his equipment and reagents beyond the Gilbert Chemistry set he had received for Christmas. His interest in chemistry was nurtured by the fact that his grandfather was an amateur photographer who poured his own photographic glass plates and developed and printed them. Chemistry was not offered in high school until his junior year, but he became friends with his chemistry teacher who then nurtured his interests in science. Bob was a member of the first graduating class from Thomas Carr Howe High School and was active for many years in its alumni association. Upon leaving the Navy he returned to Purdue University where he graduated earning first a degree in Science and later one in Chemical Engineering. Bob loved to run and earned major letters and won medals in track and cross country during his high school and college years. He was a member of the "P Men's Club" at Purdue. Bob was a member of the Indiana Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon where he served as President of the Board of Trustees for many years. He also was a member of AAAS, ACS, AIChE, Tau Beta Phi, Alpha Phi Omega, Omega Chi Epsilon, the Masons, the Scottish Rite and the Indianapolis Scientech Club. Bob was a member of St Luke's United Methodist Church. When not working, Bob enjoyed sailing, wine making, stamp collecting, model railroading and playing golf. He is survived by his wife Lois Anne (Long) Mannfeld; sister LaVonne Bastnagel; two sons, James (Susan), David (Christine) and five grandchildren, Jennifer, Robert, Julie, Jordan, and Rachel. Service will be held Saturday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Flanner & Buchanan Mortuary in Broad Ripple. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 8, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or St. Luke's United Methodist Church. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan