Bradley S. “Brad” Blickenstaff, originally from Frankfort, IN, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024, at the age of 94. Brad and the love of his life and wife for 71 years, Mary Miller Blickenstaff, lived at University Place, in W. Lafayette, IN. Brad’s wife and soul mate, Mary, their younger son, Dave, and Brad’s brother, Channing, all preceeded him in death. Brad is survived by his son, Steve (Jane) of Lynchburg, VA, four grandchildren – Beth (Carter) Ladd, Kate (Will) Poats, Brandon (Rachel) Blickenstaff, and Derrick Blickenstaff. He is also survived by seven precious great grandchildren, as well as his brother’s wife, Janet, of W. Lafayette, and their two daughters, Marianne Blickenstaff and Barb Kielkowski and their families.
Brad was born on May 14, 1929 in Rossville, IN, the son of Earl M. and Barbara S. Blickenstaff. Brad graduated from Frankfort Senior High School and then went on to earn a B.S. degree in Forestry from Purdue University, where he was also an active member and Officer of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He also graduated from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. Brad’s first positio
n following Purdue was with the International Paper Co. where he worked as a Forestry Engineer in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, cruising timber and having the time of his life with his bride, Mary. He then served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean war, before rejoining the International Paper Co. With the birth of their second son, Dave, the four of them returned to Frankfort where he began as a Bookkeeper with The Clinton County Bank & Trust Co. Brad rose through the ranks from Teller, to Installment Loan Officer, to Loan Dept. Manager, to President & COO. Clinton County Bank was then acquired by Summit Bank of Clinton County and in 1986, Brad was named President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Summit Bank of Clinton County, until his retirement in 1989.
Brad served on and held leadership positions with numerous professional and civic organizations over the years. First and foremost, Brad, his brother, and both sons were Eagle Scouts. He served on the Board and as President of the Indiana Bankers Association. He was President and Treasurer of the Wabash Valley Installment Bankers Association, President of the Frankfort Rotary Club and Treasurer for 16 years. He also served on the Boards of Directors for the American Institute of Banking, Frankfort Community School Board, Frankfort Country Club, Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County United Way, Frankfort Jaycees, Frankfort Main Street, Inc., Clinton County Hospital Foundation Board, Purdue Club of Clinton County, and the Fraternal Orders of Police, the Moose, Eagles, and Elks Clubs. Brad was also a Life Member with the American Legion and John Purdue Club.
Brad played the trumpet throughout his life and was a member of the Purdue Marching and Symphonic Bands and the Crooked Lake Jazz Band. Brad also played golf and loved everything about the great outdoors, from cutting firewood in a blizzard, to riding his snowmobile on 100-mile trips with Mary, to camping, canoeing, mushroom hunting, and fishing lakes and rivers from Indiana to Canada to Alaska. Before moving to W. Lafayette, they were snowbirds for 15 years, floating back and forth between their Crooked Lake home in northern Michigan and their condo in Florida.
No services are planned. Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort is assisting the family. Donations may be made to University Place Foundation or the charity of your choice. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com, where you may leave a condolence.