In Memoriam: Robert “Bob” Ingram

Robert “Bob” Ingram, of Durham, N.C. and a giant in the pharmaceutical and Porsche worlds, died on March 24.

He was 80.

Ingram, a car guy for his entire life, got his first ride in a Porsche in 1971, and that experience lead to a lifelong passion for Porsches.

By the early 1990s, Ingram, along with his wife, Jeanie, and sons Rory and Cam, started a collection of special Porsches. The Ingram Collection of about 80 world-class Porsches was the result of their efforts.

The Ingrams were also Porsche scholars, and the cars in their collection were driven frequently. The Ingrams also used their collection to help numerous charities raise funds.

In April of 2019, a gas pipe exploded in front of the warehouse that contained much of the Ingram Collection. Several buildings were damaged or destroyed, and two people lost their lives.

Ingram mourned the deaths of the two people even as he examined the damage done to his priceless collection of Porsches.

One very special car — a Porsche 356B Carrera GTL Abarth — was heavily damaged. The car had been invited to the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which was just four months away. The entire Ingram family plunged into the effort to have the car repaired and restored in time for Pebble Beach, where the car won a prestigious class award.

Ingram was a popular figure in the collector car world, and he and his family made countless friends over the years.

Ingram, who started in pharmaceutical sales after earning a B.S. in business administration from Eastern Illinois University, rose to become CEO of Glaxo Wellcome. He co-led the effort to create GlaxoSmithKline.

“Bob was above all else one of the most genuine and complete gentlemen we have ever met,” said Donald Osborne, Audrain CEO. “He was always kind, giving and humble — the hallmarks of the truly accomplished. We all enjoyed our conversations through the years about Porsches, North Carolina and people. The entire Audrain team sends its affection and support to his family and all his many friends in this difficult time. We also know that whenever we think of him a smile will come to our faces — something we will always treasure.”

Ingram is survived by his wife, Jeanie, and sons Rory and Cam.