Robert Welsh Jr.

However, it is the character of the man Bishop Dale Melczek has called the "quintessential Christian gentleman," that has been a beacon and served to inspire others to emulate his good works.

It seems fitting, then, that Welsh, CEO and chairman of Welsh Holdings, LLC,  is to be inducted into the inaugural class of the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame.

Welsh, 72, of Chesterton, said he remembers, after graduating with a degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame and serving two years as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, being hesitant to join his father in the family business. At the time, the senior Welsh's gas station business had no more than 10 employees.

"I just wanted to prove I could do things myself," Welsh said, adding he had thought he might go into banking.

But Welsh Jr., Welsh's only son, acquiesced and never looked back. His father, he said, was his "best buddy," and was strong enough to allow his son to "sprout his wings."

It was Welsh Jr.'s observant nature about the changes in society that prompted him to pioneer such innovations as self-serve gasoline, alcohol-blended fuels, food served inside gas stations and agreements with fast-food operations.

"I think we had the first, quick car wash, too," he said, adding of the Welsh Marts, "We wanted to stay ahead of the trend."

Through it all, Welsh was growing the business and creating a corporate culture that still serves as a template for those striving to do business in a compassionate and ethical way.

Although, eventually, Welsh Inc., the multi-state business selling petroleum products through convenience stores and travel centers that resulted, was sold to Speedway (convenience stores) and Flying J (travel centers), but the exponential effect of the Welsh standard remains.

"My father died too early," Welsh said of his father's passing in 1968, but not before he had set an example of civic responsibility for his son.

Welsh Jr., proudly points to the Munster property of the Boy Scouts of America, Calumet Council that was donated by his father.

It was, however, the lessons he gleaned from his time at Notre Dame that framed the mark of the man he is today, Welsh said.

"I've always been strong in ethics. I think that is what life is about," Welsh said, adding that he made certain that 1,500 employees of Welsh Inc., understood that. "I think you can tell about a company by the head of the company."

Welsh and his wife Catherine, have walked a path not only of corporate giving, but personal as well, believing that wealth breeds responsibility.

Welsh has been the recipient of the Notre Dame Man of the Year Award, as well as the Sagamore of the Wabash Award and has served on the boards of more than 30 civic, religious, educational, business and financial organizations.

In 2000, Welsh, a Fellow of the University, received an honorary doctorate degree from Notre Dame.

Welsh said he always has believed in giving back to one's community, a tenet practiced by his father.

Welsh points to the framed rendering of Welsh Family Hall, a dormitory for female students in athletics on the campus of Notre Dame, the construction of which was underwritten by he and his wife.

Recently, the 10th anniversary of the hall was celebrated with a dinner attended by its residents.

"All of our kids were there," Welsh said, painting the picture of his children and their spouses taking in the event, basking in the pleasure their parents' philanthropy had created.

"It was the joy they had and the pride they had," he said of the reward he finds in doing good works.

"It's just the way I am. I feel very strongly about giving back."