Obituary of William Lanke

On Friday, August 27, 2021, William Lanke of Hudson, Florida passed away at the age of 76. William, known to friends and family as Bill, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 6, 1944 to Julia (Szabo) and John Lanke. On March 5, 1971, he married his lifelong best friend Sandra Jean Hartzler, and together they raised two daughters, Julie and Amy. Bill graduated from Gerstmeyer High School and received a B.S. in mathematics from Rose Polytechnic Institute, where he developed his fascination with computers. After receiving a Master of Science in math and teaching computer science courses at Indiana State University, he worked at Columbia House for over 25 years, where he directed the data center and served as a vice president for management information systems. As brilliant as he was down to earth, Bill loved to make people laugh and put them at ease. Computer programming was always his hobby, and with friends he designed an early video game and started a rotisserie baseball company. After retiring from Columbia House, he and Sandra moved to Hudson, Florida to play golf and be closer to Terre Haute friends. They also built a home in Hamilton, New York to be closer to their grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John and his sister Patricia Ann. He is survived by his wife Sandra; children Julie and David Dudrick of Hamilton, New York, and Amy and Ted Brink of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren Emma, John and Leah Dudrick; brother Michael and Betty Lanke; sister-in-law Cheri Lanke; and several cousins, nieces and a nephew. He will be interred at Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute (date to be determined).