He was born in Anderson, Indiana. Graduated from Ball State University and worked as a CPA in Indianapolis for George S Olive Company and eventually as Chief Financial Officer for Waffle House of Indiana/Sunshine Cafe.
He was an avid Indianapolis Colts fan, sharing season tickets with one of his closest friends.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, and cooking. His favorite food was peanut butter and possibly pancakes (but definitely not raisins or turnips!). He loved playing cards and knew what the other players had in their hand just by watching the game. He played golf with work colleagues and said he liked to play because an afternoon of golf felt like a walk in the park. He learned classical guitar after he retired. He loved to sing -- from childhood sitting with his family on the front porch as they harmonized to his father's ukulele, to sitting around a campfire with his kids, to a full-throated version of O Holy Night just a few short months ago.
He had a basement workshop full of treasured tools, which were nearly as hard to part with when moving into assisted living as his beloved car. Driving was sanctuary. He travelled to Alaska and Scotland, and drove his camping trailer to all points in between -- with the CB handle Harem Hauler, a testament to his disproportionate number of daughters. Throughout their life together, on a given Sunday, he and his wife would get in the car, head out to the country, take turns deciding who chose which way to go at the next intersection, trying as hard as they could to get lost … and then finding their way back home.
He met his wife Betty when they were teenagers at a Baptist summer camp. She said he was a silly kid, a cut up. They dated in college, and married in 1953. He brought sunshine to her life. Once asked the secret to a long marriage he said .... after so many years you may find you don’t know the other person -- at that stage of your life, seek your common interests and take care to let the friendship build again.
He was frugal. He had 4 pairs of shorts, 4 pairs of socks, that's all you need. They do laundry twice a week, you don't need any more.
He had a deep faith in God, was a member of North Bay Community Church in Palm Harbor, Florida. Previously a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Castleton United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church in Indianapolis.
He is the son of Helen and Robert, brother of Luann, brother-in-law to Fran and David (the best man at his wedding), father of Beth, Lowell, Linda and Ruth, father-in-Law to Zita and Daryl, grandfather to Christopher, Nicholas, and Jennifer, great grandfather to baby coming in October.
Loren came to our rescue, for all of us, in the middle of the night, without recrimination or criticism. He got us through our darkest moments and stood gently beside us, behind us, with us, as we righted ourselves and tried anew.
He was a man of dignity, grace, humor and kindness. May he rest in peace and happiness.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date via Zoom.
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