Lawrence mourns death of alumnus and former trustee Robert A. Anker

Lawrence University is mourning the loss of Robert A. Anker ’64, a trustee emeritus and longtime friend and supporter of the university. He passed away Aug. 4 at age 81.

Anker, who lived in Carmel, Indiana, served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2017. His service included stints chairing the Finance Committee, the Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the Audit Committee.

He and his wife, Patricia, were loyal supporters of Lawrence through numerous initiatives—the Leveraging Lawrence’s Faculty Initiatives Fund, construction of Warch Campus Center, support of the Lawrence Fund, and generous Reunion challenges, among them.

They returned to campus in 2021 to take part in the dedication of Otāēciah, the public sculpture now on permanent display on the Kaeyes Mamaceqtawuk Plaza near Mudd Library. The Ankers funded the project, an installation that further acknowledges and honors the Menominee and Ho-Chunk people.

“As we accumulated art over the decades, we became focused on Native art and artists,” Robert Anker said at the time. “Pat chaired the Indian Market and Festival of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art (in Indianapolis) for many years and continues to serve as a member of the museum’s board of directors. Through the years we have built deep and continuing friendships with many Native artists.”

A mathematics major at Lawrence, Anker went on to become an actuary and a respected leader in the insurance industry, serving as president and CEO of the American States Insurance Company and president of the American Academy of Actuaries. He retired in 1997. He also was a nonprofit leader, using his skills to benefit the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Art Center, among others.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at Leppert Mortuaries – Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th St., Indianapolis, Indiana, followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m. An obituary can be found here.