Awards

Presidents Circle Laurel Pin - 2013

Benefactor

About H. Richard McFarland

H. Richard “Dick” McFarland was an Indianapolis businessman, community leader, and philanthropist. McFarland grew up in rural Illinois and left the family farm to attend the University of Illinois. While there he was an incredibly active students and senior class president. He graduated with a degree in agriculture with aspirations to be a farmer. Following university, he spent two years in the U.S. Air Force serving in the Korean War. After he returned from the service he shifted his career aspirations and entered the corporate world where he found success working for companies such as Keebler Cookies and Campbell Soup. He was vice-president at KFC Corp and went on establish his own company McFarland Foods Corp. With the growing success of his company, McFarland established himself as a prominent philanthropist and leader with local and national nonprofit organizations. He generously supported many higher education, faith-based, and arts institutions. He became focused in cancer-related organizations after his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This included his leadership role in Ovar’Coming Together, a local advocacy group for ovarian cancer patients and IU’s Cancer Center Development Board. When wife lost her battle with cancer, McFarland continued his legacy of giving by establishing in Sally’s memory the first fund at Indiana University Cancer Center designated specifically to benefit ovarian cancer patients. McFarland was inducted to the Presidents Circle for his philanthropic and compassionate spirit at the Benefactor level in 2005.