Vandermark, Robert

1954-2013

Bob is known as the large man with a hearty laugh and a big heart. He always had a great sense of humor.

Robert Vandermark started sign painting in 1970's. His first sign shop was a small green building in the town of Pierceton, Indiana. Bob paid the bills by lettering signs for local businesses but his real passion has always been art. Many people have driven by the Vandermark Sign Shop where he painted a large mural on his door and welded a large knight carrying the Vandermark shield and coat of arms. Behind the knight towers a large steel cross as a reminder of his commitment to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Bob’s real testament was his actions and business practices. He never separated the two.  Barb Vandermark married Bob in 1972 and supported his dreams and successes in the Outdoor Advertising field.

Not only did Bob love art and the billboard business, but he enjoyed nature, hunting, and raising deer on the acres he owned. Bob enjoyed visiting distant relatives and going on safari hunts in South Africa. Those visiting his home were treated with exotic animal trophies he harvested there.

Bob started his billboard company in 1970's Traveling around the state of Indiana, Bob paid his bills by hand lettering billboards for National 3M onsite from a swing stage. He built numerous billboard locations in many Indiana counties. There is no dispute that Bob was one of the greats in sales. Customers were loyal to the down to Earth and fun billboard owner. Later, Bob hired a man named Don Brogan to do sales. Don previously sold advertising space for National 3M. Eventually Don Brogan purchased the billboards of Vandermark Signs. After the arranged non-compete agreement expired, Robert Vandermark commenced again to find a number of strategic locations, this time closer to his home in Larwill, Indiana. Those locations were eventually sold by he and John Lockridge to a company in Wisconsin named De-Lite Outdoor. (De-Lite was later purchased by Lamar Advertising.) Bob refused to sign a non-compete clause and continued finding locations that many competitors would envy. Tragically Robert Vandermark passed away suddenly in 2013 of a heart attack in his sleep. Most of his billboard assets are being acquired by Eagle Outdoor of Warsaw, Indiana. Barb and his daughter, Summer will maintain ownership of locations remaining on their property.

Bob is missed by those in our business that know him. Robert Vandermark was a great in the Outdoor Industry.