Merle Edward Amundson, a member of the 1989 class of Distinguished Alumni, died Nov. 28, 2017, at Hancock Regional Hospital, Greenfield, Indiana, from complications of a recent stroke.
The 1958 College of Pharmacy graduate began his career as an analytical chemist at Eli Lilly & Co. in 1961 and spent his entire 33-year career at Eli Lilly. After five years, he moved to agriculture product development, becoming manager of that group. He became director of the toxicology division in 1978 and eventually became executive director of Lilly research laboratories in the toxicology division.Â
In 1990, Amundson became executive director of the Lilly research labs in the medical component division for two years and finished in the quality division, serving two years at the level of executive director.
Amundson was born Aug. 21, 1936, in Sioux Falls, graduated from Colton High School in 1954 and earned his master’s and doctorate from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston.
Civically, he served in many capacities at St. James Lutheran Church in Greenfield, including singing in the choir for many years. Amundson also was a past president of Greenfield Sertoma Club and a Sertoman of the Year honoree, a strong advocate for youth baseball and a Boys & Girls Club of Hancock County board member.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Avis (Schneekloth) Amundson, three sons, a brother, a sister and 10 grandchildren.
