Robert Leland Green

Robert Leland Green (Bob), 74, died Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 at home in Mt Vernon IN from complications of long standing pulmonary disease. He was born Jun 30, 1935 in Fredonia KS. His parents, Charles and Geneva (Manning) Green, and grandparents Thomas and Agnes (Evans) Green; and William and Alpha Mae (Hardcastle) Manning, preceded him in death. Bob was baptized in the Fall River near Fredonia KS. He graduated from Fredonia High school, Class of 1953, served 6 years in the KS Army Guard, and attended one year at Washburn University. Bob married Sharon Sharp Nov 7, 1954, daughter of Arlo and Cleone (Smith) Sharp (both deceased) of Fredonia KS. Bob and Sharon recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with four sons, fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He entered business in sales for Sears, then Firestone and later International Harvester. In 1972, he shifted to a career with JI Case, retiring in 1992 as Vice President of Agricultural Sales for North and South America. While at Case, he was appointed Director of the Agriculture Council of America and Chairman of the first National AG Day. He was also Director of the Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute. Bob went on to lead several US corporations and was President of Fiatallis-North America, McRand Corp, and Pyramid Management Group. He was a Director of After Market Sales worldwide for Breed Technology, Inc. He became President and CEO of Spreckles Sugar Company. The consummate sales and marketing executive, he sold 2000 Spreckles Sugar owned acres ($38M), inclusive of a water and sewer company, in Pleasanton CA to the public. He later consulted extensively with New Holland USA, Executone Communications, Fansteel Inc, and became a partner in ATI Inc Industries. Bob and Sharon traveled to every state in the union, most of Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. He is survived by: his brother Richard A. Green and wife, Nancy, of McKinney TX; his sister-in-law Marilyn Neill of Fredonia KS his brother-in-law Dale Sharp and wife, Bev, of Benedict KS his sister-in-law Marita Wilkinson, and husband, Ermal, of Gainesville FL Bob has four surviving sons: Lt Gen C. Bruce Green MD with wife, Becca, resides in Wash DC and is the current Air Force Surgeon General. R. Brian Green with wife, Debbie, resides in Mt Vernon IN and followed in dad"s footsteps and managed several businesses across the country. T. Bradley Green with wife, Wendy, resides in Racine WI and works for Normet Industries. A. Brent Green with wife, Yvonne, resides in Racine WI where he was first to establish a self-made business with multi-million dollar sales, Rocktek Inc. His grandchildren are equally successful in pharmacy, banking, marketing, education, acting, cosmetology, aerospace, and horticulture industries. Bob was blessed and took greatest pride in his marriage to Sharon and their family, especially his grandchildren: Kelly, Kristen, Rachel, Bryana, Katie, Brittany, Maggie, Erin, Brandon, Brennan, Jordan-Claire, Devan, Brooke, Gavan, and great grandchildren, Laila and Aiden . He was a true patriot and American success story. Bob was husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He will be desperately missed by friends and family. Memorial services will be held in Mt Vernon, Indiana at Schneider Funeral Home 512 Main St. Family will receive friends from 4-6pm Wednesday, November 25th followed by a brief memorial service. A second memorial service will be held in Fredonia, Kansas at Timmons Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 9-11am on Saturday, November 28th, followed by a brief memorial service at Timmons Chapel. A private burial will follow at Fredonia City Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Fredonia Regional Healthcare Foundation through Timmons Funeral Home: PO Box 168, 510 North 7th Street, Fredonia KS 66736. Family condolences may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com. Timmons Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.