One of Carmel’s most loyal advocates dies at age 70
Carmel City Councilor Bruce Kimball passed away Friday, Dec. 30, at the age of 70. Kimball was in the middle of his second term on the Council, to which he was first elected in 2015 and then re-elected in 2019.
“I was saddened to learn today of the death of Councilor Bruce Kimball,” Mayor Jim Brainard said. “During his time on the Council, he served his District well and will be remembered as a champion of bicycling on the Monon Greenway and across the city. Bruce was also a friend, and I extend my condolences to his family and friends. Bruce loved Carmel and worked diligently to make it a special place for his constituents.”
Kimball is probably best remembered as an advocate for bicycling in Carmel and using it to attract economic development, while also improving the quality of life for local residents and visitors. He established a weekly, low-impact family bike ride that was very popular.
Kimball became more active in city government as a founding member of the Carmel City Center Community Development Corporation (4CDC). During his four years on the 4CDC, he was involved in large redevelopment projects. He was also a supporter of the arts, the Carmel Clay Historical Society, and local businesses. At the time of his death, he was semi-retired and served as a Republican precinct committeeman.
Kimball was raised in Lebanon, Ohio, where both parents were schoolteachers and active in the community. As an Eagle Scout, he served for several years as leader of the local scouting service fraternity, the Order of the Arrow. As a graduate of Hanover College with a major in geology and business, Kimball worked for several years in Colorado and California in the oil drilling industry. He moved to Carmel in the mid-1980s to raise his son.
Kimball was a volunteer and coach for the Carmel Dads Club, he served in leadership positions in his church and community, and he was a volunteer and board member for the Carmel Farmers Market.
County Republicans to hold Jan. 10 caucus to replace Kimball
By GREGG MONTGOMERY
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
A Carmel City Council member who’d been long absent from public meetings after having a stroke died on Friday, according to the city government.
The city government issued a news release Friday afternoon about the death of Bruce Kimball, 70.
Kimball’s son told News 8 in May that the councilor suffered a stroke after he was reelected in 2019. He’d continued to receive his pay and health care benefits.
In May, the other eight councilors considered a resolution to initiate a process to declare Kimball’s seat as vacant due to his extended absence. That resolution did not advance after a 4-4 vote.
Kimball represents Carmel’s District 1, roughly the area north of 116th Street between U.S. 31 and Keystone Parkway. He’d served the district since 2016. His seat was up for reelection in 2023.
Kimbell’s son issued a statement Friday evening to News 8: “He was a kind hearted man and an incredible human being. He always put others first and will be missed by all that knew him. He loved the City of Carmel & Lebanon, OH.”
According to Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Mario Massillamany, the party will have a caucus Jan. 10 to select a replacement for Kimball:
“As most of you are aware, Carmel City Councilor Bruce Kimball passed away earlier today. Please keep Bruce’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Bruce was raised in a Norman Rockwell setting in small town Lebanon, Ohio, where both parents were school teachers and active in the community. As an Eagle Scout he served for several years as leader of the local scouting service fraternity, the Order of the Arrow. Bruce learned at an early age the value of leading through listening. Bruce resided in the Central District of Carmel and he promoted walkability and bicycling friendliness throughout the city as both an economic generator and to support health and neighborhoods. Bruce was a dedicated servant to the city of Carmel, and he will be missed.
“A caucus has been scheduled to fill Bruce’s position on the Carmel City Council. The caucus will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:00pm at the Hamilton County Republican Party Headquarters, 209 E. 175th Street, Westfield, IN 46074. All Precinct Committeemen in the Central District of Carmel are eligible to participate.”