Indy Republican is sorry to report that former Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut passed away this morning at age 84. The Indianapolis Star's Justin Mack has this to
say:
Former Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut III has died at the age of 84.
Hudnut's family on Sunday announced that after years of battling illness, Hudnut died in Maryland.
Memorial services are still being planned for the former mayor and former senior pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. There will be two public services: one in Indianapolis, and one in Washington D.C.
“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. It was a real gift to Bill that he had an opportunity to hear how much he meant to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors — and to the communities he served — through your notes, cards, letters, personal visits, and comments on his CaringBridge posts,” his wife, Beverly Hudnut, said in a statement. “So many wonderful people helped us in so many ways these past couple of years— and we will be eternally grateful."
Included along with the announcement of his passing was a valediction from Hudnut himself. In it he calls his journey a "wonderful trip," and he hopes that his epitaph will read, “He built well and he cared about people.”
"One cannot choose how one finishes the race, only how one runs it. I would not have chosen a long, slow slide into complete heart failure, but I tried to cope with it with 'gaiety, courage and a quiet mind,' to borrow from my mother who in turn was quoting Robert Louis Stevenson," Hudnut writes. "It has often been remarked that life is a journey, not a destination. About the destination, 'I believe, Lord, help thou mine unbelief.' I leave this earthly life at peace, with faith and trust in a future that will carry me beyond the bourne of space and time, but also with wariness of plotting the furniture of heaven or the temperature of hell.
"There is much I cannot fathom about the afterlife. Will there be recognition? What part of me, if any, survives? Forever, or just until I am forgotten? A little reverent agnosticism seems to be in order, because 'now we see through a glass darkly.' More positively, 'we walk by faith and not by sight.'"
In the wake of Hudnut's passing, Mayor Joseph Hogsett has called for all state and Marion County officials to join him in flying flags at half-staff this week.
"Today, our city mourns the loss of a visionary leader who cared so deeply for Indianapolis that he dedicated much of his career to its transformation," Hogsett said.
"Mayor Hudnut was ahead of his time, helping to turn, as he often said, 'India-NO-place' into 'India-SHOW-place,' and paving the way for the world class city that Indianapolis has become," Hogsett said in a statement. "He was a true public servant, with an energy and personality that captured the hearts and imaginations of countless residents.
"For the City of Indianapolis, there will only ever be one Mayor Bill Hudnut. But it is my deepest aspiration that we will continue building on his legacy and in so doing, make our Mayor proud.”
Former Mayor Greg Ballard offered a statement as well, calling Hudnut "a true Founding Father of modern Indianapolis."
"Through his leadership, imagination, and sheer determination, he made our capital a destination city for people and events from around the world," Ballard said. "Regardless of where Mayor Hudnut lived, he always called Indianapolis home. He was an invaluable friend and advisor to me during my time as mayor, and my deepest condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.”
Hudnut was a Princeton University and Union Theological Seminary graduate who served as a pastor in Indianapolis, Buffalo and Annapolis. In 1972, he was elected to congress to represent the people of Indianapolis.
Hudnut won his first mayoral bid in 1975, and was re-elected three times. In his 16 years as the leader of the city, Hudnut oversaw dozens of major building projects were downtown, including the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center.
In 2014, statue of “Mayor Bill” was dedicated in his honor near the Convention Center.
Hudnut was honored as the “Nation’s Outstanding Mayor of 1988” by City and Slate Magazine; named “Man of the Year” by The Indianapolis Star in 1979; and awarded Princeton University’s highest alumni honor, The Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, in 1986.
After leaving office in Indianapolis, Hudnut relocated to Chicago and then Washington, D.C. area.
"I have tried to lead a useful life," Hudnut writes in his valediction. "Of course, I’ve made mistakes. I’ve displayed some real shortcomings and caused some hurts along the way. I’m sorry. But overall, I look back with gratitude. I have been blessed in so many ways."
This story will be updated.
Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.
Milestones of the Hudnut era (1976-92)
In 1978 Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut appoints the first black to the post of deputy mayor. Joe Slash later served as the mayor’s chief of staff. He stayed in the administration until 1989.
In 1979 Hudnut introduces the idea of a Downtown shopping mall. The mall opens in 1995, during the administration of Hudnut’s successor, Stephen Goldsmith.
In 1980 Indianapolis hosts its first Final Four.
Construction of Hoosier Dome begins in 1983; it’s the first home of the Indianapolis Colts.
In 1983 the Indiana Pacers were struggling on the court and financially and appeared headed to California when Hudnut urged local real estate magnates Mel and Herb Simon to buy the team. They bought it.
Indianapolis Colts move to Indianapolis from Baltimore, 1984.
Indianapolis hosts Pan American Games, a major international multisport event — 38 nations, 30 sports — in 1987.
Well written Mr. Mack! Bill Hudnut was the last man of merit to date that Indianapolis has selected to be it's Mayor. We all here are certain that Mayor Hudnut and Gary Welsh are in Heaven right now having a great chat! Pretty certain that Gary is giving him an earful about Indianapolis Corruption! We encourage our readers to thank Mr. Mack for writing such a wonderful piece about the now late Mayor Hudnut.
