Robert E Letherman

Robert E. Letherman passed away on Wednesday October 17, 2018 at IU Medical Hospital in Indianapolis following an extended illness.  He was born on March 6, 1971 to John and Dianne Letherman of Elkhart.  He graduated from St. Thomas Catholic School in Elkhart and attended high school at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, IL.  The motto of the Benedictine Monks “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work) became Rob’s motto through life after his graduation from Marmion.  He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Elkhart.

Robert attended Holy Cross College in South Bend for one year and then transferred to Notre Dame where he had a memorable time living in Carroll Hall and working as a Student Athletic Trainer during the Lou Holtz era.

Following graduation, Rob served as an intern at the Indiana General Assembly and briefly visited the US Senate.  He then held a variety of jobs in banking and sales before joining Allan Ludwig at the Northland Corporation in 1996.  At Northland, he helped manage a large number of industrial buildings, leasing of multiple incubator units and development of over 1000 acres of industrial property.  Recently he has been heavily involved in the production of the annual RV Dealer Show and in the development of large industrial properties at Elkhart East.  He was appointed President of Northland Corporation in December of 2017.

Along with his brother Pete, Rob earned a CCIM Designation from the Realtors National Institute in 2000.  The CCIM designation is considered the “Global Standard for Professional Achievement” in the Real Estate Industry.  Rob lived on the upper St. Joseph River and was actively involved in community planning and economic development, serving on the Elkhart City Plan Commission for the last 14 years.

As a bachelor, Rob was able to do things many of us only dream of.  He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2008 and Machu Picchu in Peru a few years later.  He also tailgated at most ND home games and attended at least one away Notre Dame game every year.  In addition, he took multiple trips to Europe and the western US with friends and family.

Robert was preceded in death by his uncle, James Letherman, his niece, Grace Letherman and his older brother, LTC (R) Jack Letherman.  In addition to his parents, John and Dianne Letherman, Robert leaves behind four siblings: Joseph (Elizabeth) Letherman, Peter (Suzanne) Letherman, Lisa (Jason Hemmerling) and Cathie (Nick Matuch), a sister-in-law, Natasa Letherman of Kansas City, MO and 14 nieces and nephews.  He will be sorely missed by us all.

Friends may call at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in Elkhart on Monday, October 22, 2018 from 4 PM until 8 PM with a Rosary at 8:00 P.M.  Rob’s funeral will be held at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23rd.  Burial will be at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Elkhart.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Sweet Pea Foundation P.O. Box 1293 Elkhart, IN 46515, The Community Foundation of Elkhart County or to the John and Dianne Letherman Family Financial Aid Endowment at Marmion Academy in Aurora, IL.

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