November 2, 2019
Michael Baker Kraft, 84, Noblesville native, died November 2 in Washington, D.C. of complications from dementia. Immediate surviving family include Elizabeth Harvey Kraft, formerly of Crawfordsville, his daughter Katherine, her husband Michael, and their daughters Lindsay and Julia of Chicago. His three remaining brothers, Jacob, Timothy and John, grew up in Noblesville and now live in Florida and New Mexico.
Though he lived most of his adult life in Washington, D.C., his devotion to his Indiana home defined his life and his long political career. After serving three years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, he was briefly a reporter for the Logansport Pharos Tribune. It was in that capacity that he interviewed Senator Vance Hartke, which led to a job as press secretary in Hartke’s Washington office. He played a guiding role in the election campaigns of former Congressman Philip Sharp of Muncie, for whom he worked as Chief of Staff. He was a founder of Sagamore Associates (now Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting), and served as a liaison to cities including Indianapolis and South Bend.
Kraft remained dedicated to the welfare of his hometown and led the efforts to renovate buildings around the town square of Noblesville. The buildings he revitalized include the old Wild Building, which now houses Alexander’s On the Square and Little Bloomers, and the old Western Auto location, now home to the Noblesville Antique Mall. Those buildings are now owned by his Noblesville cousin, Bret Richardson. He also, with a partner, renovated the location of Matteo’s Restaurant on North Ninth Street. For his work there he received a Downtown Revitalization Award from the Indiana Main Street organization, as well as an award from the Noblesville Preservation Alliance.
For decades, Kraft was the connection in Washington for dozens of Hoosier political aspirants arriving in the capital. He often hired some of the newcomers as interns in the Sharp congressional office, including current Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett. He was a past president of the Indiana Society of Washington, D.C., an organization which celebrates Hoosier pride with events including the Indiana Inaugural Ball. In 1994, Governor Evan Bayh designated Kraft as a Sagamore of the Wabash. The award, which was considered the highest honor that could be bestowed on a Hoosier, described the recipient as “distinguished by his humanity in living, his loyalty in friendship, his wisdom in council, and his inspiration in leadership.”
He will be remembered by many for his customary farewell to friends and family: “Go forth and do good.”
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 16 at Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org) or to Martha’s Table (marthastable.org).
Arrangements
Service: 11 a.m., Nov. 16
Location: Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C.