Robert "Bob" Ostrander

Robert Daniel Ostrander, “Bob” 73, loving husband and beloved father, passed away on August 30, 2023 at IU Health West Hospital in Avon, Indiana.

A Memorial Gathering will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Flanner Buchanan – Decatur Township, 5463 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46221, with inurnment to take place at a later date in West Newton Cemetery.

Bob was born on February 15, 1950, in South Bend, Indiana, to Daniel and Fern Ostrander. He graduated from John Adams High School in 1967. He earned an Associate Degree in Computer Programming from Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana in 1970.

Bob married Terry Knipple on March 31, 1970. Their son, Jonathan Robert was born in 1977.

Bob worked in business and industry as a computer programmer. In 1985, he was the founder of Public Brand Software, a highly successful shareware company. He sold the company just before the internet started, in the early 1990s, and retired.

After retiring Bob researched Indiana beer companies and golf courses, and shared the information online. He was the webmaster of the Brewers of Indiana Guild Trade Association. After a year traveling in Europe with Terry, Bob researched Indiana history and published several books on beer, prohibition, and Indiana, beginning with Hoosier Beer. His other books include Indiana Prohibition, Indiana Bicentennial, Indiana Industry, Innovations, and Inventions, Indiana Atlas, and the Hoosier History series including Sportsbook, and Despicable People and Unfortunate Incidents.

Bob enjoyed road rallies, ping pong, golf, and pool with his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Fern Ostrander of South Bend. He is survived by his wife Terry Ostrander of Indianapolis, his son Jonathan (Alexis Moore) Ostrander of Carmel, his granddaughter Allyson Lanae Ostrander of Indianapolis, and his two step-grandsons of Carmel. He is also survived by his sister Katie (Monty) Wilson of Norfolk, Nebraska, his sister-in-law Dr Janet (Dr Alajandro) Alvarado of Highland, Illinois. He had 4 nephews and 1 niece.