A local architect known for designing a number of public buildings, including several schools, has died.
Kenneth D. Cole died Saturday at his Fort Wayne home. He was 78.
Cole designed Waynedale, Lane, Weisser Park, Lindley and Whitney Young schools. He also designed the Meeting House for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, on Old Mill Road, and additions to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School, on West Jefferson Boulevard.
Cole also produced the plan to renovate the old Fort Wayne City Hall building on East Berry Street into the History Center that it is today.
A graduate of South Side High School, Cole attended the Fort Wayne Art Institute where he met his wife of 57 years, Carolyn. He went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati School of Architecture in 1957.
After his return to Fort Wayne, Cole opened an architectural practice with partner Art Matott. Their practice, which changed names several times over the years, was last known as Cole & Cole Architects, at which time Cole’s son David had joined the practice.
Cole retired in 1999 after suffering a stroke but still had an active role with the firm until 2003, David Cole said. In his spare time, Cole enjoyed the outdoors and spending time at his cabin on the shore of Lake Superior, according to his family.
During his career, Cole designed about half a dozen homes, and designed and built his own home. He also did architectural work throughout the region and portions of Ohio and Michigan, David Cole said. He designed local buildings for the former Peoples Trust Bank and former Fort Wayne National Bank.
“He was a gentle man,” David Cole said, adding that his father was open-minded. “He valued honest effort.”
Cole was a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and once served on the boards of the Fort Wayne Art Institute, the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society and the Izaak Walton League. He was also a past president of the Indiana and Fort Wayne chapters of the American Institute of Architects.
Cole is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters. Daughter Denelle Wrightson, of Dallas, also followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming an architect. Cole is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral arrangements are being prepared at Klaehn Fahl & Melton Funeral Homes. A service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson Blvd. Visitation will be at the church two hours prior to the service.
