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Robert Todd Van Note, 74 of Carmel, was born into eternal life on Sunday, January 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN.
Bob was born February 22, 1942 in Winchester, Indiana to William and Viola Van Note. He served his county in the United States Army. Bob worked for many years as a mechanic in Winchester prior to entering a career in IndyCar Racing, in AMI Racing headquartered in Winchester IN. Following his time at AMI he also worked for the Machinist Union Race Team, Jet Engineering Racing, Gore Racing, Interscope Racing, and Hemelgarn Racing. During his IndyCar career he was honored to work with Janet Gutherie, Tom Bigelow, Howdy Holmes, Josele Garza, Rich Vogler, Gary B. Bettenhausen, Rocky Moran, Ludwig Heimrath, and Greg Leffler.
Following his retirement from racing in 1988 he became a member of the technical committee for USAC, working the Indianapolis 500 for a number of years. He then returned to being an Automotive Mechanic at Tom Wood Ford, eventually rising to the role of Shop Foreman, retiring in 1996.
Bob was a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Indiana, a member of the Bishop Fulcher Council of the Knights of Columbus, and the Timothy J. Maude Fourth Degree Assembly of the K of C.
He was especially proud of his membership in the Indianapolis 500 OldTimers Club.
Bob's talent for fabrication and construction leaves a permanent mark on his community, in the year 2000 he erected the striking cross that adorns the grounds of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carmel where he had been a member for many years. In addition to this treasured gift to the community he was noted for using his talents to create a beautiful replica of the Marmon Wasp, the first winner of the Indianapolis 500. This hand-built masterpiece led the 2011 Indianapolis 500 parade and was prominently featured on all their promotional materials, and was featured on the cover of the Indianapolis Star.
Despite his many accomplishments during his racing career his greatest trophy was meeting his beloved wife, Mary Ann Van Note at the August 1985 Michigan 500, while he was serving as a mechanic Danny Ongais. Danny was Mary Ann's favorite driver and she served the team lunch where she met Bob, and their first memory was her serving his lunch. They were then married just prior the start of the 1988 IndyCar Racing Season, on March 26, 1988. Together they loved to travel with many cruises, river boat vacations, all over the United States, the Carribean, Eurpoe, Alaska and Hawaii.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; sisters, Wilma Jenkins, and Ester McDaniel; son, Daniel (Betty) Van Note; daughter, Penny (Michael) Hopkins; grandchildren, Cody Van Note, Brandon Van Note, Lindsey Neureuther (Ethan); and two-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, and his to furry babies, Mimi and Mikey. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his son, Randy, brother Edward Van Note, sister Barbara Jenkins & Sister Eloise Barr.
In lieu of flowers the Van Note family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be given to St. Augustine's Home for the Aged or St. Pius X Catholic Church.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, January 13 in St. Pius X Catholic Church, where friends will gather from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. |