Community Remembering Nonprofit Executive
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA well-known member of the Indiana philanthropic community has died. Kris Kindelsperger will be laid to rest Saturday in Columbus. He was senior executive consultant at Greenwood-based Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates Inc. and served on the boards of several charitable organizations. Kindelsperger was 64. He was previously vice president of development at Hanover College.
July 16, 2014
Obituary
Kris Willard Kindelsperger
October 31, 1949 – July 15, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Kris Willard Kindelsperger, Ed. D, 64, of Leatherback Drive Columbus, passed unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.
He was born on October 31, 1949, in Syracuse, New York, to Kenneth and Bernis Kindelsperger, who preceded him in death. He received a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University, a Master's in the same field from the University of Louisville, and Bachelor's in History from Hanover College. He married his college sweetheart, Roxie, in 1972.
He spent his last 14 years working as a Senior Executive Consultant at Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates, a philanthropic consultant group. Previously, he was the Vice President of Development at Hanover College.
Dr. Kindelsperger generously gave his time and energy to the Sigma Chi General Fraternity as a chapter advisor for 18 years, and as an ongoing volunteer; Girls Inc. of Jefferson County as a Board Member and Past President; and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Columbus, Indiana, as a Board Member, Past President, and Chairman of the Development Committee. Kris was a past Board Member and member of the Resource Development Committee for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. Finally, he was Founding Vice President of the board and a 10-year member of the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. Professionally he was a member of CASE V and AFP.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and faithful member of First United Methodist Church where he served on various committees. He enjoyed playing golf, working in the yard, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Roxie; children, Sara (Matt) Canterbury of Columbus, Ohio and Nick (Abby) of Chicago, Illinois; two grandchildren, Zac and Mira; and a brother, Bren (Glenda) of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania.
Source: Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home
July 16, 2014
In Memoriam – Kris Kindelsperger
All of us at JGA are deeply saddened by the sudden, unexpected death of our colleague and friend, Kris Kindelsperger, Senior Executive Consultant. Kris passed away at his home in Columbus, Indiana, on July 15. We at JGA will honor his legacy by continuing to carry on the JGA tradition of service to his nonprofit clients.
Funeral services for Kris will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus. Calling will be from 4 – 8 p.m. Friday at the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 9 – 11 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, First United Methodist Church of Columbus, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and Hanover College.
For the past fourteen years, Kris has been an integral, highly valued member of the JGA family, serving as president of the firm from 2003 – 2006. JGA staff, clients, and peers in the fundraising profession have all benefited from his knowledge and commitment to the field of philanthropy. He will be greatly missed.
At this difficult time our thoughts and prayers, particularly, are with Kris' beloved wife Roxie; his daughter Sara, son-in-law Matt, and their son Zac; his son Nick, daughter-in-law Abby, and their daughter Mira; and all in the extended Kindelsperger family. Kris was a devoted spouse, father, and grandfather. He was never happier than when he was spending time with his family. As a proud grandfather, he enjoyed sharing with his JGA colleagues the latest adventures and discoveries of his grandchildren, Zac and Mira.
As a colleague and friend, Kris was always the gentleman – gracious, genuine, and generous. But he also spoke his mind and didnt shy from expressing his point-of-view! Kris kept our meetings and conversations lively with his well-developed sense of humor. His keen wit particularly revealed itself in the tributes that he would pen and deliver on the occasion of special birthdays or anniversaries of JGA co-workers. Above all, Kris was a kind and caring friend, always there for you with an encouraging or consoling word.
Over the years, scores of JGA clients found in Kris a trustworthy, experienced, astute, and dedicated advisor. They valued his integrity and honesty and appreciated his kindly manner, highly intuitive and strategic thinking, and tendency to look for the good in all things. Kris worked diligently to “get it right” for his clients. He embodied what all of us JGA consultants strive to be – thoughtful, authentic, and responsive. As one former client said of Kris, “He was more than a consultant, he was a mentor and friend.”
Kris not only taught and advised others on philanthropy and volunteerism, he walked the talk. He served his church, First United Methodist of Columbus, in various roles over the years, including several years leading the youth group and as president of the Foundation board. He was a member and past president of the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services board at the time of his death and previously served on the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic board. As a proud alumnus (and former vice president of development) of Hanover College, Kris actively supported his undergraduate alma mater throughout his career, including 18 years as chapter advisor to the Chi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Kris also was often called on to share his experience and insights as a speaker at conferences for the AFP, ALDE, and other associations. He gave generously of his time, talent, and treasure to his church, community, and profession.
Kris Kindelsperger has left his mark on many organizations and institutions across this country. More importantly, he has enriched the lives of those blessed to know him. We, his colleagues at JGA, are grateful for the privilege we have had to work, dream, plan, and laugh with him and to learn from him. We commit ourselves ever more fully to carrying on the good work Kris so firmly embraced – assisting nonprofits in advancing their missions, values, and goals.
Source: Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates Inc.