Indianapolis loses a quiet giant

Ken Thompson passed away on March 25. Ken was a quiet giant in the real estate development field in Indianapolis, Carmel and Fishers.

Ken volunteered for the army, as an engineer in the construction battalion area during the Korean War. Following the Korean War, Ken was focused on obtaining a college degree and enrolled in Tri-State University, as he said, “The only place that would have me.” Ken finished a civil engineering degree in three years.

Ken started his career with Paul Cripe Co. His engineering skills soon opened many doors for him. Ken worked for Milton Fineberg, developing many projects before starting with his own and then partnered with Tom Schultz to form Schultz and Thompson Co.

Ken was in an airplane and recognized a very low area in the Carmel vicinity, which he ultimately developed into Woodland Springs. Following that, he developed the Woodlands, The Eden Project and many other Carmel landmarks.

In 1978, the old Indiana National Bank asked Ken to assist in a struggling real estate venture in the town of Fishers. That led to Ken developing many of the Fishers areas. He always made sure that there were recreational areas, churches and municipal facilities as part of his developments.

He donated the land that is now Holland Park and Harrison Park. Ken founded Hamilton Southeastern Utilities in order to serve the areas east of State Road 37 with sanitary sewers. Ken was involved in the communities of Sunblest, River Glen, River Highlands, Fawnsbrook Woods, Harrison Park, Weaver Woods and Sweet Briar.

Ken received the first key to the town of Fishers by his friends Walt Kelly and Gaye Cordell. Ken never expected anything in return except honesty. I personally met Ken in June of 1973. Ken has been, and always will be, more than a friend to me.

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Daniel Spitzberg
Associate professor
Indiana University School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology