Robert Risch

Robert “Bob” Risch led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. Described as generous, funny, quick-witted and loving, he was the kind of man other men look up to. Never one to let life pass him by, Bob participated in many organizations that gained him respect and admiration throughout the community and the state. However, he was never too busy to spend time with the wife, children, and grandchildren he loved so dearly.

As America was winding down its first 25 years of the new millennium called the 20th Century, events were taking place that would shape our way of life for years to come. Joseph Stalin took power in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Ford Motor Company held true to its promise of “a car in every garage” and produced its one-millionth automobile, and Parker Brothers came out with a new game called “Monopoly”, never dreaming that it would become one of the world’s most popular games. Lawrence and Jessie (Dunbar) Risch were living in the town of Washington, Indiana in the southwest part of the state. They may have had a “car in their garage”, and probably hadn’t yet heard of Monopoly. What was really on their minds was the impending birth of their second son. On September 20, 1924, Robert Dunbar Risch came into the world, making the Risch’s a family.

Lawrence worked for Tip Top Creamery, which was owned by the Risch Family, and the family soon moved to Vincennes, Indiana, a slightly larger town, west of Washington, that had the honor of being the oldest town in Indiana. Bob had an older brother, Lawrence Jr., who died when Bob was in college. Bob attended Vincennes High School, and although not an especially tall boy, played basketball, volleyball, and tennis. He graduated in 1942 as Valedictorian, the highest-ranking graduating student in his class. This honor garnered him an academic scholarship to DePauw University. Excelling in his studies, upon graduation, Bob was accepted to Harvard Law School. After 2 years, Bob had to return to Indiana to care for his mother, but upon her death, he was welcomed back to Harvard with a full scholarship. While at Harvard, Bob was part of the Harvard Law Review, a “student-run organization whose purpose is to publish a journal of legal scholarship”. Bob graduated cum laude – with honors – from Harvard in 1948.

One of Bob’s pastimes was playing bridge and he was a master player. It was through his interest in bridge that he met a young lady from Vincennes who was also a master bridge player. Her name was Margaret “Margie” Goutal. He and Margie were married and had two children, Katherine "Katie" and Lawrence, “Larry”. Bob always said that their births were one of the best days of his life. Bob and Margie moved to Indianapolis where Bob got a job with the law firm of Ice, Miller, Donadio and Ryan, now known as Ice Miller. With his drive and talent, Bob became a senior partner with the firm, specializing in bond litigation, and earning him the honor of being one of the premier bond attorneys in the Midwest. One of his projects was the bonding of the Hoosier Dome, now known as the RCA Dome. Other attorneys loved to go with Bob on bond closings because he knew all the good restaurants and jazz clubs in the area.

Jazz and Bob Risch were made for each other. A true aficionado of the genre, he delighted in the sounds of the jazz greats. He was a member of the Indianapolis Jazz Club and treasurer of the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors. He would often tell people that it was the New York and Boston jazz clubs that got him through Harvard.

Sadly, in the early 1980’s Margie died of cancer. Bob was lonely and found solace in his music. While at a jazz club, he met the very attractive June (Kitzmiller) Bantz and asked her to dance. An attraction soon developed, she loved his sense of humor, and they dated for the next 6 months. It took a little bit of pursuing on Bob’s part, for June had been a widow for 16 years. His persistence paid off and the two were married on September 24, 1983 – another of his “best days”. Along with June came three children and a “load” of grandchildren. A loving and giving father, Bob embraced June’s family as his own.

Bob and June loved to entertain and take friends to dinner. Many of these friends were jazz musicians Bob had met through the years. When he retired, he was given a large party attended by many of his friends and co-workers. After retiring, he and June did a lot of traveling – abroad, the islands, and of course jazz clubs around the country and jazz cruises.

Another of Bob’s passions was the YMCA. He had been a strong supporter for many years and had served on the Board of Directors. For his dedication, he was awarded the Y’s “Man of the Year” and a Life Time Achievement Award. He was very committed to his community and was very involved, usually very quietly, never looking for recognition. He was a member of the NAACP, the Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Bob could play the clarinet but said he was “not very good”. At a clarinet concert on September 8, 2004 Bob Risch lost consciousness and died the following day, perhaps a fitting ending for a man whose life was so closely entwined with music.

Robert D. Risch, Indianapolis, died September 9, 2004. He was widowed to Margaret (Goutal) Risch. His family includs his wife, June Bantz Risch; children, Katherine “Katie” Cahow (Brad), Lawrence Risch; step-children, Dr. Mark W. Bantz (Sigrid), Deborah Rees (Charlie), Robert “Bob” J. Bantz (Diane); grandchildren, John Cahow and Margaret Cahow; Diana, Mike, and Mark Bantz; Amanda and Alex Bantz; Daniel Hayes, Mary Tuttle; James and Jessica Bantz; Great Grandchildren, Colton Raybourne, Gary Bantz.

Friends and family will gather on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Leppert Life Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th St. Bob’s celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home, followed by light lunch and refreshments. You are invited to visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a personal memory, arrange for flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Y.M.C.A.