Dr. Robert L. Gillan 93, Thorntown, IN, died September 6, 2009. He was born August 26, 1916 in Darlington, IN.

Mr. Gillan was a graduate of Thorntown High School in 1934, then Central College in 1939, receiving a degree in Music and English graduate work at Butler. Later he received a Ph.d and taught school in Sandborn, IN and Thorntown, Roachdale, Williams, Carmel, Huran and for Indianapolis Public Schools, retiring in 1984. He taught music for 11 years, then spent most of time teaching fifth grade slow learners. His greatest accomplishment was two doctors came from those fifth graders. He had 10 different teaching certificates.

He served six years in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a primary flight instructor and later in weather recon and hurricane tracking.

He received in 1973 a Valley Forge Freedom Foundation National Teacher of the Year, the Older Hoosier of the Year Award in 2005, Boone County Breeders and Freeders Distinquished Agricultural Career Award in 2004. He farmed for many years raising grain and registered Angus cattle. He planted his last crop in 2005 at the age of 89. For many years he was a glide instructor, taking last flight in the Spring of 2009. He was an accomplished artist having won many awards for his oil painting. His artwork hangs in Sugar Creek Art Center in Thorntown, IN. His memberships include Boone County Antique Tractor Association, Boone County Master Gardens, Lebanon Masonic Lodge 9, Scottish Rite, Friends of the Thorntown Library, Thorntown Christian Church Boone County Genealogiscal Society, National Soaring Society, Phi Delta Kappa, Sons of the American Revolution, Boone County Amateur Radio Club, Boone County Blue Bird Society, American Legion Post 218, Thorntown and Sugar Creek Historical Society.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sugar Creek Art Center, Thorntown, IN. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. September 10, 2009 in Thorntown Christian Church, with visitation there from 2 to 8 p.m. September 9, 2009.

He was preceded in death by wife, Roxie Robbins Gillan; parents, Thomas Gillan and Maude Dove Richie Gillan. Survivors include sister, Janette Holmes from Palm Gardens, FL and brother, Devon Gillan from Taft, IN. Arrangements by Russell and Hitch Funeral Home, Lebanon, IN.