Rilus Eastman Doolittle (1900 – 1983)

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Doolittle attended Butler College (today, Butler University), where he was a track star, winning the 1924 Western Conference (today, the Big Ten) Championship in the two-mile run. Doolittle then competed for the U.S. in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games in the 5,000-meter Run. Unfortunately, he did not advance to the final heat of the games.

Upon returning to Indiana, he graduated in 1925 with a concentration in zoology and chemistry. He would later become an engineer and metallurgist for the P.R. Mallory and Company in Indianapolis.

Rilus Doolittle’s 1924 Paris Olympic photo. Courtesy U.S. Olympic Committee.
Rilus Doolittle won the American Olympic Trials in Michigan to earn a spot in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Photo Courtesy Butler University.
Rilus Doolittle is buried in Section 96, Lot 882.