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Eugene Ward
January 13, 1916 - May 9, 2010

Gene’s Life Story

Gene was introduced to photography in 1933 by Earl Williamson at the YMCA photo lab in Indianapolis. He grew up in a family who had taken photos and kept albums, but Mr. Williamson showed him the world behind the camera and Gene’s passion of all things photographic was established.

Gene was born January 13, 1916 to Burton Ward and Caroline Dickenson Ward in Chicago, Illinois where his father was employed by Quaker Oats Company. In 1919, the family moved to Indianapolis where he lived until 1947.

In 1928 Gene joined Boy Scout Troop 75 which defined his life in many ways. He attended scout camp most summers, earning a Camping Badge by camping out for 50 nights. He also was a traffic scout, and earned 20 other badges, including cooking. The goal of earning Eagle Scout was always just out of reach because of the mandatory Life Saving Badge; it seems the water dummy was always bigger than Gene. While a student at Butler University, however, he saved a drowning woman in January of 1938 by jumping into Fall Creek at Illinois Street during a big flood.

The public school system of Indianapolis served Gene well. He attended Schools 66 and 70 and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1934. He remained in touch with many fellow graduates, forming the Seventeeners Club which met annually for many years, then monthly after the members reached retirement age.

In 1935, he enrolled at Butler University in Business Administration. He quickly became the yearbook photographer and said later that his likeness appeared only a few times in the yearbooks, but his photography can be found on many of the pages. In 1938, he pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity, a bond which he felt throughout his life.

After graduation in 1939, he and three friends jumped in their car and drove to California for the 1939 San Francisco World’s Fair on Treasure Island. Their many adventures on that trip were recorded on film for all to enjoy.

Upon his return, he began working for H. Leiber & Co., a retailer of photographic supplies. When a new store was opened on East 10th Street, Gene was appointed store manager.

A trip to the ice rink in January, 1941 found Gene asking a friend to introduce him to the pretty girl across the rink. A whirlwind romance ensued, and Gene married Ruth Harper October 25, 1941. Unfortunately, six weeks later Pearl Harbor was attacked and their world turned upside down.

Rather than be drafted, Gene and three fraternity brothers enlisted in the Army Air Corps January 25, 1942 at Fort Harrison in Indianapolis. After basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas, and because of his photographic skills, he completed his service as a photographer and photo lab technician at three domestic air bases: Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado; Gunter Field, Montgomery, Alabama; and McCook, Nebraska. He continued to hone his photographic skills throughout his time in the Air Force.

Upon returning to civilian life, he continued his professional and personal photographic work throughout his life.

In 1947, the town of Carmel beckoned to Gene and Ruth where they remained for 57 years as active members of the community. Gene was a member of the Lion’s Club for many years and after retirement, volunteered as a book mender at the Carmel Public Library. Gene and Ruth enjoyed square dancing as well as the many activities of Carmel Methodist Church.

Travel became a very big part of their lives as they explored scores of places in the US and the world. As Gene became older, he commented numerous times how he missed traveling and visiting the places that many people only read about. Fortunately, he had his photographs to remind him of the countless places where he had visited.

Gene died Sunday, May 9, 2010 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth Harper Ward; daughter, Bunny Colvin (Jay); and grandchildren, Carrie and Chris (Katie).

A Memorial service will be held on August 21, 2010 at 2:00 pm in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel is in charge of arrangements.