Historic Shelbyville civic leader and businessman dies at 100

Downtown Shelbyville during the 1950s, 60s and 70s was the center of constant, bustling mercantile activity. Stores remained open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights and all-day Saturdays.

One of the pillars of this brisk business interaction was Todd-Bennett Men’s Clothier, located at the northeast corner of the public square.

Todd-Bennett’s, as the store was known in local vernacular, provided the standard for quality men’s dress clothing in Shelbyville for 62 years. The business’s former owner and distinguished community leader, Robert Bennett, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 2 at the age of 100.

“Bob was a very special person,” said Reverend Bill Horner, who worked at the store during his senior year in 1969-70. “He hired many SHS students to work at the store through the years. All of us received an informal education in business and human relationships from Mr. Bennett. He wanted you to achieve and be successful when you became an adult. He was a true mentor.”

Horner laughingly recalls how frenetic those busy work weekends could be.

“It made for a quick turnaround,” said Horner. “The store closed at 9 p.m. on Friday night and you had to be there ready for a full day the next morning at 8:30 a.m.”

Bennett was the Shelbyville High School Lord Mayor (the male student with the highest seven semester grade point average who presided over festivities at the annual May Festival) in 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps following graduation and served as a navigator on several missions during the final two years of World War II.

He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “extraordinary achievement in the Mediterranean theatre.”

Bennett enrolled at DePauw University following his military service and graduated in 1949. He married fellow student Patricia Meredith later that year. The couple settled in Shelbyville.

Todd-Bennett Men’s Clothier was established in 1919 by Louis Todd and Allen “Curly” Bennett, Robert’s father. The enterprise steadily developed into a venerable Shelbyville business. Bob joined the family business in 1949 and quickly became a valued and respected member of the community.

He served as SCUFFY (Shelby County United Fund) drive chairman and was an organization board member for several years. He was an original member of the Shelbyville Boys Club’s board of directors in 1954, serving one term as president.

Bob served on the board of directors of the Farmers National Bank, Forest Hill Cemetery and Shelby Industries. He also completed two terms on the Shelbyville Central Schools Board of Trustees.

Bennett formed CLB Realty with fellow local businessmen Larry Lewis and Bob Cover. The company lent their efforts to developing numerous properties dedicated to the enhancement of Shelbyville.

“I always thought of him as the ultimate ‘Shelbyville guy,’” said Horner. “He wanted what was best for the town and for the people of Shelbyville.”

Robert Bennett became the business’s sole owner in 1965 when his father died.

Bruce Van Cleve (right) works the Todd-Bennett retail counter in 1975. 

1979 Shelbyville High School graduate Bruce Van Cleve began work at Todd-Bennett the summer prior to his freshman year.

“I was 14 when I started,” said Van Cleve. “I started out back in the stock room, but Mr. Bennett soon moved me to the floor and I began serving customers. That was a great education.

“I learned how to serve people and Mr. Bennett was always an excellent example of how to do things correctly. I can’t ever remember him raising his voice, but you always knew what the expectations were.”

“He subtly taught his employees about business and relating to people,” continued Van Cleve.  “He would always take time to interact with us. He even taught me about investing and long-term financial planning.”

Bennett always emphasized the importance of making the extra effort when serving customers. He was intent on consistently justifying their confidence in Todd-Bennett.

“Tim Ash (1968 SHS graduate and Golden Bear basketball star) would come in and was color-blind,” said Van Cleve. “I would coordinate his colors for him. That was the level of service Mr. Bennett expected.”

Robert sold Todd-Bennett in 1981. He and Pat filled their retirement years with trips to Europe and New York City where they indulged their passions for Big Apple cuisine and Broadway shows.

They eventually moved to Nashville to be closer to daughters, Meredith and Sarah, and their families.

Bill Horner dons a Todd-Bennett hat and jacket during a work day at the store in 1970. 

A group of former Todd-Bennett employees and friends that included Horner, Jim Meloy, Mike Vaught, John Coffin, Dean Shadley and John Hayes traveled to visit Bob in Nashville in 2015 to celebrate his 90^th birthday.

“That was a remarkable day,” said Horner. “We all stood up and shared treasured stories from the past and expressed our appreciation and fondness for Bob. We told him how important he was to all of us. That day was very special. It meant so much to him and to all of us as well.”

Bob’s wife, Pat, earned a Master’s degree in Art History from Indiana University and later worked at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She passed away in 2023 at the age of 95. They had been married for 73 years.

People who remember those halcyon years of the Todd-Bennett era comprehend the unique and enduring positive impact of Robert Bennett, his family, and their classic business.

Robert Bennett was a seminal figure in the development of the Shelbyville community in the post-World War II era. The contributions he made to the lives of those around him were even more important.

“I worked for four years at Todd-Bennett and would go back to fill in during my college years,” recalled Van Cleve. “Working there shaped me in many ways. Robert Bennett had a profound influence on me.”

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