Former Lawrenceburg, Milan Teacher & Coach Passes Away at 67

Bob Brookbank will be missed by many.

Bob Brookbank. Photo via Fitch Denney Funeral Home. 

(Greendale, Ind.) – Community members are mourning the loss of Robert “Bob” Brookbank Jr.

The Batesville native and longtime Greendale resident passed away last Friday at the age of 67.

Brookbank touched the lives of many through education and coaching, including time spent at Milan Community Schools, Lawrenceburg Community Schools, and most recently as Principal at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

As a coach, Brookbank led the Milan Indians varsity football program for nine seasons. From 1990-1998, he compiled a 54-38 record and won six conference championships, two sectional titles and a regional championship.

“He is undoubtedly the reason that Milan Football is what it is today,” said current Head Coach Ryan Langferman. “He was a great coach and better person.”

Brookbank took over the Lawrenceburg football program in 1999, where he remained head coach through the 2010 season. The Tigers went 57-76 in that time span, but Coach Brookbank led the Tigers to one of the most improbable sectional championship wins in Indiana state history.

It was November 4, 2005, when the Tigers traveled to Brownstown Central for the sectional championship game. Down 24-0 with less than six minutes left in the 4th quarter, Lawrenceburg rallied to put the game in overtime, and eventually pulled off the win 30-24. 

It was the lone sectional championship in Coach Brookbank’s 12 seasons at Lawrenceburg, but one nobody will soon forget.

In recent times, Brookbank enjoyed coaching and refereeing. He was an avid golfer and worked as a ranger at Sugar Ridge Golf Course. He loved spending time with his family, especially his three children and three grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, January 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at St. Lawrenceburg Catholic Church in Lawrenceburg. Funeral services will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Lawrenceburg Primary Pre-School or the Alzheimer’s Association.