Members
Inductee
ABEL, MD, ROBERT M.
ABEL, MD, ROBERT M.
Born on November 10, 1924
Wakarusa, IN
January 14, 2017 in Elkhart, IN.
Inducted On
July 12, 1996
Location Inducted
South Bend, IN
Region Number
2
Goshen College
Merit - Team Physician
Wakarusa
1942
Goshen College & Indiana University Medical School
1950
Named one of Elkhart County's Top 10 Leaders of the 20th Century" for founding the Wakarusa Medical Clinic and contributing significantly to rural health care; honored in 2007 by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service for 43 years of service on Indiana's 4-H Fair Board of Directors; recipient of 3 Sagamores of the Wabash awarded by 3 different governors; was a Torch Bearer for the Indiana Becentennial Torch Relay 2016; served over 30 years on the Wa-Nee School Board."
Wife, Betty (deceased); children, Robert II, Randy (Jane), Michael (Linda), and Nancy (Tom); 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren
Merit Contributor - Team Physician: After serving in Army during World War II, he returned to Wakarusa; instrumental in starting football program at nearby Jimtown High School; in 1964, instrumental in developing a football program for Wakarusa HS; Wakarusa was combined with Nappanee HS and is now Northwood HS; served as team physician to these two schools for 43 years.
Special Recognition: Named one of Elkhart County's Top 10 Leaders of the 20th Century" for founding the Wakarusa Medical Clinic and contributing significantly to rural health care; honored in 2007 by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service for 43 years of service on Indiana's 4-H Fair Board of Directors; recipient of 3 Sagamores of the Wabash awarded by 3 different governors; was a Torch Bearer for the Indiana Becentennial Torch Relay 2016; served over 30 years on the Wa-Nee School Board."
Special Recognition: Named one of Elkhart County's Top 10 Leaders of the 20th Century" for founding the Wakarusa Medical Clinic and contributing significantly to rural health care; honored in 2007 by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service for 43 years of service on Indiana's 4-H Fair Board of Directors; recipient of 3 Sagamores of the Wabash awarded by 3 different governors; was a Torch Bearer for the Indiana Becentennial Torch Relay 2016; served over 30 years on the Wa-Nee School Board."