List of people from Fort Wayne, Indiana explained

The following is a list of notable natives, residents, or former residents of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Artists, designers, and architects

Bill Blass, fashion designer^[1]
Bob Englehart, editorial cartoonist
Richard "Grass" Green, cartoonist
John Hambrock, cartoonist
Eric Kuhne, architect
Dick Moores, cartoonist^[2]
Gray Morrow, comic book illustrator, art director for Spider-Man
Bruce Nauman, artist
Richard Nunez, artist^[3]
Frederick William Sievers, sculptor
Alvin M. Strauss, architect
Egerton Swartwout, architect
Brentwood S. Tolan, architect
Thomas J. Tolan, architect
George Washington Whistler, railroad engineer

Athletes

Baseball
- Isabel Álvarez, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Lenna Arnold, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1946 Fort Wayne Daisies)
- Phyllis Bookout, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1953 Fort Wayne Daisies)
- Rob Bowen, MLB (2003–2008)^[4] Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics
- Dottie Wiltse Collins, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1944–1950; Minneapolis Millerettes, Fort Wayne Daisies)
- David Doster, MLB (1996, 1999)^[4] Philadelphia Phillies
- Bill Everitt, MLB (1895–1901)^[4] Chicago Colts/Orphans, Washington Senators
- Brent Gaff, MLB pitcher (1982–1984) New York Mets
- Harold Greiner (1907–1993), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League manager (Fort Wayne Daisies) and restaurant entrepreneur
- Steve Hargan, MLB pitcher (1965–1972, 1974–1977) Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves
- Louie Heilbroner, manager, MLB (1900) St. Louis Cardinals
- Butch Henline, MLB (1921–1931)^[4] New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Robins, Chicago White Sox
- Kevin Kiermaier, MLB player (2013–present) Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays
- Naomi Meier, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Bruce Miller, MLB (1973–1976) San Francisco Giants
- Ralph Miller, MLB (1920–1924)^[4] Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators
- Rabbit Nill, MLB (1904–1908) Washington Senators, Cleveland Naps
- Jarrod Parker, MLB pitcher (2011–2013) Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics
- Brian Reith, MLB pitcher (2001, 2003–2004) Cincinnati Reds
- Mike Roesler, MLB pitcher (1989–1990) Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Andrew Saalfrank, MLB pitcher (2023–present) Arizona Diamondbacks
- Josh VanMeter, MLB utility (2019–present) Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Ben Van Ryn, MLB pitcher (1996, 1998) California Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays
- Eric Wedge, player, MLB (1991–1994)^[4] Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies; manager, MLB (2003–2009)^[4] Cleveland Indians, (2011–2013)^[4] Seattle Mariners
- Andy Woehr, MLB (1923–1924) Philadelphia Phillies
Professional basketball
- Curly Armstrong, NBA (1948–1951) Fort Wayne Pistons
- Dan Godfread, NBA (1990/91–1991/92)^[5] Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets
- Henry James, NBA (1990/91–1997/98)^[5] Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks
- Willie Long, NBA (1973–1974) Denver Rockets
- Kyle Macy, NBA (1980/81–1986/87)^[5] Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers; sportscaster
- Mason Plumlee, NBA (2013–present)^[5] Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers
- Miles Plumlee, NBA (2012–present)^[5] Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks
- Bill Roberts, NBA (1948/49–1949/50)^[5] Chicago Stags, Boston Celtics, St. Louis Bombers
- Herm Schaefer, NBA (1948–1950) Minneapolis Lakers
- Ed Stanczak, NBA (1949/50–1950/51) Anderson Packers, Boston Celtics
- Caleb Swanigan, NBA (2017–2022)^[5] Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings
- Malik Williams, NBA (2024–present) Toronto Raptors
College basketball
- Deshaun Thomas, player for Ohio State

Professional football
- Scott Auer, NFL (1984–1985) Kansas City Chiefs
- Mike Augustyniak, NFL (1981–1983) New York Jets
- Jason Baker, NFL (2001–2012)^[6] San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers
- Jessie Bates III, NFL (2018–present) Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons
- Bill Boedeker, NFL (1946–1950)^[6] Chicago Rockets, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
- Jeremy Bridges, NFL (2004–2011) Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers
- Johnny Bright, CFL (1952–1964), Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos, subject of the "Johnny Bright Incident"
- Bob Cowan, NFL (1947–1949), Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts
- John Diettrich, NFL (1987) Houston Oilers
  - - Vaughn Dunbar, NFL (1992–1995)^[6] New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars Tyler Eifert, NFL (2013–2020) Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Eric England, NFL (1994–1996)^[6] Arizona Cardinals
- Ricky Ervins, NFL (1991–1995) Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers
- Trai Essex, NFL (2005–2012)^[6] Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII champion
- Jason Fabini, NFL (1998–2008)^[6] New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins
- Steve Hall, NFL (1996) Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts
- James Hardy, NFL (2008–2011)^[6] Buffalo Bills
- Jim Juriga, NFL (1988–1991) Denver Broncos
- Selwyn Lymon, NFL (no professional games played) Miami Dolphins
- Austin Mack, NFL (2020–present) New York Giants
- Le'Ron McClain, NFL (2007–2013)^[6] Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
- Bernard Pollard, NFL (2006–2014)^[6] Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans
- Emil Sitko, NFL (1950–1952)^[6] San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Cardinals
- Ben Skowronek, NFL (2021–present) Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans
- Jaylon Smith, NFL (2016–present) Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders
- Lamar Smith, NFL (1994–2003)^[6] Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers
- Rod Smith, NFL (2015–present)^[6] Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders
- Anthony Spencer, NFL (2007–2015)^[6] Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints
- Joe Tippmann, NFL (2023–present) New York Jets
- Drue Tranquill, NFL (2019–present) Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
- Elmer Wilkens, NFL (1925)^[6] Green Bay Packers
- Rod Woodson, NFL (1987–2003)^[6] Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders, Pro Football Hall of Famer
Golf
- Amanda Blumenherst, U.S. Amateur champion
- Cathy Gerring, 3-time winner on LPGA Tour
- Billy Kratzert, 4-time winner on PGA Tour, sportscaster
Professional hockey
- Drake Batherson, NHL Ottawa Senators
- Gracen Hirschy, SDHL (2017–present), Linköping HC
- Fred Knipscheer, NHL Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues
- Dale Purinton, NHL (1999/2000–2003/04)^[7] New York Rangers
Martial arts
- Jon Fitch, MMA fighter with UFC
- Dave Herman, MMA fighter with UFC
- Becky Levi, MMA fighter
Soccer
Olympic swimming and diving
- Steve Bigelow, swimmer, 1988 Summer Olympics
- Matt Vogel, swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics
- Sharon Wichman, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
- Dan Zehr, swimmer, 1932 Summer Olympics
Olympic track and field
- LeShundra "DeDee" Nathan, 2000 Summer Olympics
Volleyball
- Angie Akers, professional beach volleyball player
- Lloy Ball, Olympic gold medalist, 2008 Summer Olympics
- Dr. Don Shondell, author, head coach of Ball State University Cardinals men's volleyball program (1964–1998)
Other notables
- Angela Bradburn-Spangler, USA national high jump champion 1994
- Eugene E. Parker, sports agent, 45th in Sports Illustrateds 101 most influential minorities in sports^[8]
- Ed Viesturs, mountaineer, first American to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000 meter peaks; fifth person ever to do so without the use of supplemental oxygen

Authors and writers

E. Jean Carroll, author, journalist
Constance Cumbey, author, lawyer
Les Edgerton, author
Ashley C. Ford, author and essayist
Edith Hamilton, author, mythology expert
Stephen King, best-selling author (spent parts of childhood in the city)^[9]
Ross Lockridge Jr., novelist
Patricia Lockwood, writer
Michael Martone, author
George Jean Nathan, author, drama critic, founder of American Spectator
William Rockhill Nelson, founder of the Kansas City Star
Emmanuel Ortiz, poet, writer
Charlie Savage, New York Times reporter, 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner

Business leaders

Gregory W. Becker, final CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)^[10]
Patrick M. Byrne, president and CEO of Overstock.com
Dirk Gates, founder and CEO of Xircom and Xirrus
Jeff Hammerbacher, founder of Cloudera^[11]
Angie Hicks, founder and CMO of AngiesList.com
Zach Klein, co-founder of social networking site Vimeo
Nord Krauskopf, founder of K&K Insurance; NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car owner (1966–1977)
Russell W. Kruse, auctioneer, founder of Kruse International
Cook Lougheed, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and Allen County Councilman
Dale W. McMillen, founder of Central Soya
Cosette Simon, philanthropist, politician, first female Mayor of Fort Wayne (1985)
Chuck Surack, philanthropist, founder of Sweetwater Sound
- Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's International Kevin Wall, Emmy Award-winning producer, environmentalist, founder of Live Earth
Childe Wills, associate of Henry Ford
Fred Zollner, industrialist, founder of the NBA and Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

Inventors and scientists

Sylvanus Bowser, inventor of the gas pump
Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the television
John Henry Holland, pioneer in the field of genetic algorithms
Alfred Mellowes, inventor of the electric refrigerator

Media

Julia Barr, two-time Daytime Emmy award-winning actress, All My Children
Jill Bennett, actress
Nicole Briscoe, 1998 Miss Illinois Teen USA, host of ESPN2's NASCAR Now
Eric Bruskotter, actor
Dan Butler, actor
Ann Colone, broadcaster, talkshow host
Jenna Fischer, Emmy-nominated actress, The Office
Sharon Gabet, actress
Hilliard Gates, sportscaster
Molly Hagan, actress
Drake Hogestyn, actor
Neil LaBute, director, screenwriter, playwright
Stephanie Larimore, model, Playboy Playmate of the Month
Carole Lombard, Oscar-nominated actress, My Man Godfrey
Shelley Long, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress, Cheers
Marilyn Maxwell, actress
Patrick McVey, actor
Robert Rusler, actor
Andrea Russett, actress, Internet celebrity
Chris Schenkel, sportscaster
Carrie M. Shoaff, artist, author, potter, playwright, correspondent
Herb Shriner, comedian, game show host
Nancy Snyderman, MD, journalist, NBC News chief medical editor
Zuzanna Szadkowski, actress
Lyn Thomas, actress
Randy Thompson, actor
David Turnley, photographer
Peter Turnley, photographer
Herb Vigran, actor
Dick York, Emmy-nominated actor, Bewitched

Music

Addison Agen, singer and finalist on The Voice
Joey Allen, glam metal guitarist, Warrant
Jeoffrey Benward, contemporary Christian singer, songwriter
Sonny Charles, soul singer, Checkmates, Ltd., Steve Miller Band
Daniel E. Gawthrop, contemporary classical composer
Heather Headley, Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway actress and R&B singer
Edwin C. Metcalfe, saxophonist with Spike Jones
Megan Mullins, country singer
Niyoki, gospel musician
Amanda Perez, R&B singer
Petra, Grammy-winning Christian rock band
Jon Schaffer, heavy metal guitarist, songwriter, Iced Earth
Troy Shondell, rock and roll singer, songwriter
Jordan Witzigreuter, pop singer (stage name The Ready Set)

Physicians and medical researchers

Alice Hamilton, MD, first woman on faculty of Harvard Medical School; sister of Edith Hamilton
Jane Henney, MD, first woman Commissioner of the FDA (1998–2001)
Leonard A. Scheele, MD, seventh U.S. Surgeon General (1948–1956)
Susan Smalley, Ph.D., first to conduct genome-wide study in ADHD
Allen Steere, MD, identifier of Lyme disease

Public servants

E. Ross Adair, U.S. Representative (1951–1971), United States Ambassador to Ethiopia (1971–1974)
Robert E. Armstrong, Fort Wayne Mayor (1975–1979), Allen County Councilman (1990–2002)
Paul W. Baade, major general in the United States Army
Harry W. Baals, Fort Wayne mayor (1934–1947, 1951–1954)
Paul Frank Baer, first flying ace in American military aviation
Henry C. Berghoff, Fort Wayne Mayor (1901–1906) and co-founder of the Herman J. Berghoff Brewing Company
Tim Berry, Indiana State Treasurer (1999–2007), Indiana State Auditor (2007–2013), Indiana Republican Party Chairman (2013–present)
Samuel Bigger, Indiana State Representative (1834–1835), Indiana Circuit Court Judge (1835–1840), seventh Governor of Indiana (1840–1843)
James W. Borden, judge and diplomat
Randy Borror, Indiana State Representative (2001–2010)
Claude Bowers, writer, U.S. Ambassador to Spain (1933–1939), U.S. Ambassador to Chile (1939–1953)
Samuel Brenton, U.S. Representative (1851–1853, 1855–1857)
Susan Brooks, Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis (1998–1999), U.S. Attorney for Southern Indiana (2001–2007), U.S. Representative (2013–present)
James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence (2010–2017)
Daniel R. Coats, U.S. Representative (1981–1989), United States Ambassador to Germany (2001–2005), U.S. Senator (1989–1999, 2011–present)
Walpole G. Colerick, U.S. Representative (1879–1883)
Joseph K. Edgerton, U.S. Representative (1863–1865)
Shirley Adele Field, judge, Oregon State Representative (1956–1960, 1962–1966)
Dan Flanagan, lawyer, Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1953–1954), Allen County Republican Party leader
Eliza George, Civil War nurse (1863–1865)
Phil GiaQuinta, Indiana State Representative (2006–present)
George W. Gillie, U.S. Representative (1939–1949)
Timothy Goeglein, White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Director (2001–2008)
Allen Hamilton, Allen County sheriff (1824–1826), Fort Wayne Postmaster (1825–1831), Allen County Auditor, Clerk, and Recorder (1831–1838)
Mitch Harper, Indiana State Representative (1978–1990), Fort Wayne City Councilman (2008–2016)
Paul Helmke, Fort Wayne Mayor (1988–2000), President of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (2006–2011), founder of the Civic Leaders Center at Indiana University (2013-).
Tom Henry, Fort Wayne City Councilman (1984–2004), Fort Wayne Mayor (2008–2024)
Richard E. Hoagland, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan (2003–2006), U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan (2008–2011), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia (2013–2015)
William J. Hosey, Fort Wayne Mayor (1905–1909, 1913–1917, 1921–1925, 1929–1934)
Merchant W. Huxford, doctor, Fort Wayne Mayor (1845–1849)
Samuel D. Jackson, U.S. Senator (1944)
Paul G. Jasper, Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1949–1953)
Matt Kelty, politician, architect
Edward H. Kruse, U.S. Representative (1949–1951)
Henry Lawton, U.S. Army General (1861–1865, 1867–1899), namesake of Lawton, Oklahoma
Thomas R. Marshall, 27th Governor of Indiana (1909–1913), 28th U.S. Vice President (1913–1921)
Hugh McCulloch, first Comptroller of the Currency (1863–1865), U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1865–1869, 1884–1885)
Robert Meyers, Fort Wayne Mayor (1954–1959), Allen County Superior Court Judge (1971–1985)
Winfield Moses, Fort Wayne City Councilman (1972–1979), Mayor (1980–1987), Indiana State Representative (1992–2012)
Cherrish Pryor, Indiana State Representative (2008–present)
Ben Quayle, U.S. Representative (2011–2013)
Graham Richard, entrepreneur, Fort Wayne Mayor (2000–2008)
James M. Robinson, judge, U.S. Representative (1897–1905)
Mark Souder, U.S. Representative (1995–2010)
Harold J. Warner, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice (1955–1957)
James Bain White, U.S. Representative (1887–1889)
George W. Wood, first Fort Wayne Mayor (1840–1841)
James Worden, twelfth Fort Wayne Mayor (1865-1866), Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (1858-1865, 1871-1882)

Religious leaders

Herman Joseph Alerding, bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1900–1924)
John Chapman, Swedenborgian, nurseryman, missionary, famous American folklore figure Johnny Appleseed
John Michael D'Arcy, auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Boston (1974–1985), bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1985–2009)
William Edward McManus, auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Chicago (1967–1976), bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1976–1985)
Archbishop John F. Noll, bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (1925–1956), founder of Our Sunday Visitor
Wilhelm Sihler, Lutheran minister and founder of Concordia Theological Seminary
Alexa Suelzer, Roman Catholic nun, author, educator, theologian
Robert Thieme, author, pastor of Berachah Church (1950–2003)

Miscellaneous

Charlie Brandt, serial killer
Dean Corll, serial killer
Louis Edward Curdes, flying ace of WWII
Alexander Ewing, soldier during the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, later a founding resident of Fort Wayne
Florence M. Montgomery, art historian and curator
Alixa Naff, historian
ML Procise, concert sound engineer
Margaret Ringenberg, aviator
Ernest Gottlieb Sihler, professor of classics at New York University
Art Smith, aviator
Homer Van Meter, infamous bank robber who worked with John Dillinger

Notes and References

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/579.html Designer Bill Blass wills $1 million gift to IU
http://www.reuben.org/ncs/members/memorium/moores.jpg National Cartoonists Society
Web site: Richard Nunez . Art Gallery Worldwide . December 8, 2012.
Web site: Baseball Reference. baseball-reference.com. September 30, 2016.
Web site: Archived copy . . January 3, 2010 . October 14, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141014120443/http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html . dead .
Web site: Football Encyclopedia of Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com. pro-football-reference.com. September 30, 2016.
Web site: Dale Purinton hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com. hockeydb.com. September 30, 2016.
(2007-02-27). More than Just a Game . Big Ten Basketball. Retrieved on 2009-06-11.
Web site: About the Author. StephenKing.com. 2013-07-24. Tabitha King.
Web site: Cook . John . 2012-06-01 . Silicon Valley Bank’s Greg Becker: Why Facebook’s stock fall may be a good thing . 2023-03-13 . GeekWire . en-US.
Web site: On the Case at Mount Sinai, It's Dr. Data. March 8, 2015. The New York Times. September 30, 2016.