Robert "Bob" Morrow Mahan

Robert "Bob" Morrow Mahan, an educator, sports enthusiast, Veteran, investor, and the ultimate girl dad, passed away on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Autumn Trace Community, Seymour.
Born on October 21, 1934, in Mayfield, Kentucky, he was the son of Morrow and Mary Mahan, both of whom preceded him in death. On August 20, 1960, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Gary, he married Ann Marie Martinez, and she preceded him in death on November 4, 2024.
Bob was best friend and provider to his mother, Mary Mahan, and his 3 younger sisters. He grew up with a solid southern foundation with the love of strong women, yellow squash, and the importance of family. Throughout his life, he made it a point to call his sisters every Sunday. This deep love extended to his wife, Ann, to whom he was devoted for 67 years, and to his two daughters: Marilyn Marie and Elizabeth Ann. Because his father was not a constant presence in his life, Bob was determined to be a strong provider and to embody the best qualities of a son, husband, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather.
Bob raised his two daughters in Bloomington, and he taught them to play tennis, football, baseball, plant vegetables in the hippy section, and go to every free Indiana University sporting event. He even took them to see Elvis Presley in Assembly Hall, not to mention Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, and Fleetwood Mac. Every year, they would go to Rodgers Elementary, with binoculars and their friends, to find out who their teachers would be for the upcoming year. While he never let his daughters miss a day of school, there was one exception, when he took them out to see the Cincinnati Reds play the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.
Bob graduated from Mayfield High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Murray State University. He later completed both his master's and doctorate degrees at Indiana University. Notably, he was the first member of the ROTC program at Murray State.
He began his career in education as a teacher and coach in Hobart and Gary, Indiana. He later served as principal at Mt. Vernon High School, University Junior and Senior High School in Bloomington, and Bloomington North High School. He went on to become superintendent of both North Harrison Schools and Seymour Community Schools. Additionally, he taught courses at Indiana University in Bloomington and at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany.
Bob was a member of American Legion Post 89 and a U.S. Army Infantry veteran, having served with the rank of Captain. He was a former president of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce and served on the Executive Committee of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. He was also an active member of Kiwanis and Phi Delta Kappa, and he served four terms on the Board of the Jackson County Public Library. In recognition of his dedicated service, he was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
In retirement, Bob continued to contribute to education by serving as interim superintendent for several area school districts, most notably in Crothersville, where he served for 14 years. He also enriched his retirement years with travel, visiting destinations, such as Costa Rica, Europe, and Cuba, experiencing firsthand the sights he had once only read about in books.
There are many memories that Bob's family will cherish, but the one that is the most vivid is his mother's faithful saying of "I never had to give Bob a nickel after he turned 10." Bob's ability to get jobs, save money, budget, and plan served him throughout his life and in his work ethic. His life was richly fulfilled by his deep love for God, his family, his fellowmen, and his country, as well as his dedication to education, sports, and music.
He was a devoted Big Ten fan, but grew to appreciate Deion Sanders, coach at Colorado, and even developed a liking for the ACC. A lifelong Republican, he took pride in casting his vote for a woman presidential candidate last fall. On the final day of his life, he was pleased to see that JP Morgan stock was up.
Bob is survived by two daughters: Dr. Marilyn Mahan (Scott Book) of New Albany, and Elizabeth Mahan (John Harms) of Arlington, Virginia. While he would never boast, Bob was secretly proud that his daughters kept their Mahan maiden names when they married. He would always laud his sons-in-law as "salt of the earth" and fine men. Bob is also survived by three grandchildren: Blair Book, Jackson Harms, and Margaux Harms; three sisters: Marilyn Blum of La Quinta, California, Ann Nemo of Cincinnati; and Virginia Rapley of Naples, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held pursuant to Bob's request on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Riverview Cemetery, Seymour.
Memorials may be given to the Jackson County Public Library or the American Legion Post 89 by mailing to Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 143, Brownstown, Indiana 47220.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc.
Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com