Bob Wortman, left, is featured in a new biography by Hancock County Historian Joe Skvarenina and Wortman’s daughter, Lisa Bridges.
Mitchell Kirk | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD – A new biography of local philanthropist and Morristown businessman Bob Wortman is available.
The book, “Giving Back and Moving Forward” is written by Hancock County Historian Joe Skvarenina with the assistance of Lisa Bridges, Wortman’s daughter.
Retired owner of JR Wortman Company, Fountaintown Gas and other enterprises, Wortman has dedicated his life to making the Shelby and Hancock Counties a better place to live and work, according to a press release. His gifts have made possible the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center at Hancock Health and Major Health Partners Nephrology and Infectious Disease in Shelbyville.
The Wortmans have contributed to their hometown of Morristown and ensured its vibrancy in the process; however, Morristown is not the only benefactor. Numerous charities in Hancock and Shelby counties have gratefully been on the receiving end of Bob and Sue Wortman’s generosity.
A believer in endowment, Wortman established several funds at both the Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF) and the Blue River Community Foundation in Shelby County. It was his creation of the Wortman Family Literacy Fund for Hancock County Children to benefit the Imagination Library program that allowed HCCF to get to the finish line of its $2 million endowment goal.
Wortman has been honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the Distinguished Hoosier Award, and is a 33rd degree Mason. He is a past commander of the American Legion, a member of the Marine Corp League, and past president of Morristown High School Alumni Association and PTA. He serves as a board member of Shelby County Senior Services, Shelby County Library Foundation, the Hancock Health Foundation and Ohio Valley Gas Corporation boards.
Wortman is credited for bringing Rock Steady Boxing to Shelby and Hancock counties and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Shelby County.
While never a performer himself, Wortman has an affinity for the arts and played an instrumental role in launching the Shelby County Children’s Choir. He also serves on the board of the Shelby County Players.
Wortman’s generosity and love for wife Sue has supported the sustainability of both Hancock Health’s Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center and Major Health Partners Sue Ann Wortman Nephrology Center through the establishment of endowments at the respective hospital foundations.
In 2022, Wortman established the Wortman Family Foundation. As has been his pattern of giving, the two counties he considers home will benefit perpetually from the foundation’s grants.
“Everything I give will stay in Shelby and Hancock counties,” Wortman said. “These communities have made it possible for me to help others.”
According to his daughter, Lisa Wortman Bridges, “This book is about encouraging giving in the Shelby and Hancock County Communities.”
In Greenfield, the book is currently available at the Hancock County Public Library, Hancock Health Foundation, Hancock County Senior Services and Love INC.
