Robert Bowen Bailey, 90, of Ogden Dunes, IN passed away peacefully on August 18th. He was born in Evansville, Indiana to the Rev. Dr. Joyce J. and Serena B. Bailey. He graduated from Crown Point High School and attended college at DePauw University for two years and then two years at the University of Evansville; where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He later served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Evansville and for his Masonic and community service on behalf of children, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

While in college Bob met Sarah Dorman of Gary, Indiana; they were married for 58 years until Sarah's death in 2007. He was preceded in death by Sarah; their son, Jim (Kristin Weis) and his sister, Evelyn & brother-in-law, Guy Slaughter.

Bob is survived by his sons; John (Janis Lourgos) and Bill (Debby Owens). John and Jan have their daughter Caroline. Bill and Deb have two sons; Rob (Jacqueline Beaulieu) and Ross (Jessica Anderson), Kris Bailey (Weis) has three children Lauren (Brock Shipley), great-grandson Isaac; Jordan (Emily Richardson-Rossbach) and Leslie (Adam Marlatt). He was particularly proud of his nephew Geoffrey G. Slaughter (Julie Randolph), who was recently appointed as a justice to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Masonically, Bob started as a DeMolay in 1941 and became a Master Mason in 1951, Scottish Rite in 1951 and joining Orak Temple in 1952. In 1969, Bob served as Potentate of Orak Shrine. In 1979, Bob was coronated a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He served as Imperial Potentate of Shriners International in 1995-1996, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Prior to that, he served for 13 years on the Board of Governors at Shriners Hospital for Children for the Chicago Hospital. During that time he served as Secretary and later as Vice-Chairman of the Board before being named as an Emeritus Member of the Chicago Hospital Board.

Bob served on the Indiana Masonic Home Board for six years, three of those as Chairman of the Board. In 1996 he was given the Caleb B. Smith award by the Grand Lodge of Indiana.

Bob was President of Fifth Avenue Motors, a Buick Automobile Agency and Monarch Oil, distributors of gasoline, oil and lubricants, both in Gary, IN. In 1996, for his distinguished service to humanity, the Governor of the State of Indiana awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash.

Visitation for Bob will be held Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church of Portage, 2637 McCool Road, Portage from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a Masonic Service at 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will take place Monday, August 22, 2016 at 10:00 am at the church. He will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave. Portage. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 31356 Tampa, FL 33631-3356, or the First United Methodist Church of Portage, 2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368.