Bobby G. Albright

Bobby G. Albright, former Putnam County sheriff and mayor of Greencastle, passed away Wednesday morning, Sept. 16, 2009, at the Putnam County Hospital.

The oldest son of Roy and Jeanetta (Lee) Albright, he was born in Clay County on Dec. 6, 1925. Raised in Limedale, a 1944 graduate of Greencastle High School, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 serving in the South Pacific and on Guam.

On Nov. 24, 1949 he married Vera June (Busch) Albright at the First Christian Church in Greencastle. In the early years, June and Bob lived near Putnamville and raised turkeys. In 1965 Bob was elected sheriff of Putnam County, serving two terms.

During his time, in office he established the Merit Board for the Sheriff's Department, one of the first in Indiana. He remained active in the Putnam County Republican Party.

Bobby G., as he was known to many, operated the Robo Car Wash in Greencastle from 1974-98. Over the years the Robo became a gathering place for friends, family and politics.

During this time Bob served as a Putnam County councilman, city councilman for the City of Greencastle from 1984-87, and mayor of Greencastle in 1987, completing the term of the late Mayor Gerald Warren.

The IBM facility closed during this period of time and a new era began in Greencastle. Bob remained ever grateful for the generosity of IBM and the strength of the citizens of Greencastle who were part of the nationally recognized recovery.

Bob was selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce in 1987 and honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O'Bannon in 2000.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church; V.F.W. #1550; Elk's Lodge 1077; Freemason for 60 years; a member of Temple Lodge 47 FandAM; Shriner's; and a 33rd Degree Mason; and the Putnam County Coin Club. He was active in the development of the Big Walnut Sports Park and past member of the Rotary Club of Greencastle.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Mark Albright and wife, Marilyn of Greencastle; a daughter, Jackie Albright Eitel and husband, Ken of Greencastle; seven grandchildren, Jeremy Albright, Nicholas Albright and wife, Liz, Katie Fisher, Tony Eitel and wife, Mary, Patrick Eitel and companion, Brenda Ball, Adam Eitel and wife, Alison, Jacob Eitel and wife, Ashley; four great grandchildren; a brother, David Albright and wife, Sandi of Greencastle; and a sister, Mary Jane Humphrey of Greencastle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, June DeWeese and Lois Ann Albright; and a brother, Richard Albright.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Greencastle, with the Rev. Jimmy Collins officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greencastle High School Alumni Scholarship c/o of the Putnam County Foundation 2 N. Jackson St. Greencastle, IN. 46135.

Condolences may be shared with the family c/o bittlesandhurt.com