Robert Allen Archer

INDIANAPOLIS – Robert A. Archer (Bob), 84, died peacefully at home with his family surrounding
him on February 3rd, 2021. Bob was born in Reading, PA and grew up in Wilmington, DE.,
attended Harvard University before moving to California to get his PHD at Stanford, then on to
New York for his post doc at Columbia University before settling in Indianapolis to work at Eli
Lilly as a research chemist for 27 years.

Bob Archer dedicated his life to bringing joy and happiness to others, whether this was
developing drugs that helped people with depression or finding cure for nausea in cancer
patients. Additionally, Bob was an accomplished trumpet player who loved music and playing
for others, whether playing the horse’s whinny in Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Bells, or touring the
west with a band recreating the USO Andrew Sisters for veterans. For a time, he took a reprieve
from the symphony and pursued jazz improvisation, playing gigs at the Jazz Kitchen. Most
recently, he was an active member of the Zionsville Concert Band switching from trumpet to the
French Horn for the first time at age 82.

Bob was a caring husband and loving father, who always put family and friends first. He loved
nature and the outdoors. He spent his adult life biking, hiking, and exploring state and national
parks throughout the U.S and the world. His favorites were Zion Canyon, the Tetons, the Grand
Canyon, and Yosemite. Bob was an avid biker into his seventies when he had a near fatal crash
while training with his son and grandson for their yearly Hilly Hundred bike event. Bob had a
great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He found immense pleasure in making people
laugh and in bringing joy to their day, often walking up to strangers in restaurants to share a
favorite joke or pun.

His spent his final days at home in hospice with his family and friends,
sharing quips and jokes. When asked if there was a final wish, he replied, “longevity’.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Joyce (Packard), daughter Lisa (husband Don
Nathan), sons Greg (wife Martha) & Tim (wife Charlotte), five wonderful grandchildren; Serena,
Jack, Alex, Peter, & Sara, sister Suzanne (husband Gary Foerstch), sister-in-law Ann Archer. Bob
was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes (Matlock) and F. Emerson Archer and his older
brother, John. Bob will be missed dearly!

Due to co-vid restrictions services will be private.
Valuing education as he did and being in his youth the recipient of the generosity of others,
memorial contributions may be made in his name to Berea College, Berea Kentucky.