Bob and Dick McNamara were both born in Indianapolis in 1928 and 1930 respectively. Their parents were Mr. & Mrs. Leo C. McNamara who raised ten kids (nine boys and one girl). Bob was #8 and Dick was #9. The family was very successful in business having owned Indiana Brewing Company, Railroad Servicing Corp and Two Gaits Farm (Standardbred Horse Breeder & Racing Stable) in Carmel, IN. Both Bob and Dick are graduates of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. Bob and Dick both attended Notre Dame.

After two years in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 (Korean War), Richard partnered with his brother Bob and in 1954 opened “McNamara Bros. Florist” in Broad Ripple (Indianapolis). Three years later Bob purchased Dick’s half ownership in the business.

Dick entered the life insurance business in Indianapolis in the late 1950’s with Great-West Life Insurance Company and continued a long career with the company. He retired from Great-West in 1993. He later joined Highland Capitol Brokerage.

Bob continued building the florist business he started with Dick until it was sold to Engledow in 1989. Ten years later the McNamara Florist division was sold to Marsh Foods. McNamara Florist was then purchased by a group of investors headed by Toomie Farris, who had been one of Bob’s shop managers for numerous years and is now the current President. Bob was Director and President of the Florists Transworld Delivery Association in 1989 and later International President of “FTD/Interflora.” Bob still serves as an Advisory Board member of McNamara Florists today.

Both Dick and Bob were active in the community and in business associations and that continues today. In 1957, Dick was a charter member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel, IN and remains a member today. Dick is Past President of the Notre Dame Club of Indianapolis, Treasurer of the Twilight Dinner Club and a 58 year member of the American Legion. Bob is a Past President of the Serra Club and American Pianists Association and past