Indiana has just been told that Governor Frank O’Bannon has passed away.
Governor and Mrs. O’Bannon had taken an interest in FIRST these past few years, and if I recall correctly, it was Mrs. O’Bannon and Libby Ritchie from #393 that made it possible to have robot demonstrations at the Indiana State Fair.
I have met, in passing, the governor and his wife, and they both seemed really energetic and enthusiastic about the educational opportunities available in our state.
Indiana FIRST has lost a great ally.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. O’Bannon on several occasions and I was around several times when Libby spoke with Mr. O’Bannon. They were people that everybody would love to be around with. Everytime you saw them or spoke to them, you felt like it was the only 2 of you around. They made every moment special and personal. Mr. O’Bannon’s biggest initiative in the state of Indiana was education and technology. He was up with technology in many ways. He even took a picture of President Bush and himself when the President visited Indiana last week to tour the devastating second round of flood damage of the year.
The O’Bannon’s were very supportive of FIRST and the vision of FIRST. The past 2 years IndianaFIRST shared a booth with the First family at the Indiana State Fair in their Indiana 2016 initiative program for 3 days. At this year’s State Fair the O’Bannon’s dueled it out in the booth driving 2 of the robots that on one of the days.
Mr. O’Bannon will be missed very much and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. O’Bannon, their family and the Governor’s staff.
My heart goes out to Judy O’Bannon, her family, and her staff at the loss of a wonderful man, Governor Frank O’Bannon.
Mrs. O’Bannon and her staff have become friends of Indiana FIRST in so many ways…from the yearly State Fair booth to being able to assist with a prison activity…she and her staff have allowed me personally, along with my team and all of the Indiana FIRST teams to be a part of her 2016 initiative.
Just a month ago she had PBS there to film a special that will air in the next few months all over Indiana! She spent HOURS interviewing teams, kids, mentors, parents, etc. on what FIRST means to them and to their schools. She is a very caring lady that you can’t help but love.
Our State has lost a good man and leader! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of their staff, family, and friends.