Kevin L. Runion

Kevin L. Runion, age 75, of Terre Haute, IN, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024, at his home.

Mr. Runion joined the staff of Indiana State University in 1984 serving as University Architect-Landscape Architect and Associate Vice President for Facilities Management.

Kevin was a consulting architect and landscape architect for over 400 major designs in Indiana and Florida, including over 70 churches in Indiana and throughout the Midwest.

Kevin was the recipient of numerous awards for design and volunteerism including Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary International Benefactor, Indiana State University’s first Executive-Professional Presidential Medallion honoree, the Jones Award, Indiana Urban Forestry Person of the Year, Board member of the Indiana National Road Association, and recipient of the TREES, Inc. Mighty Oak Award, he has also been credited with being a driving force in Indiana State University’s renaissance and beautification efforts of the early 1990’s.

During Kevin’s 34+ year career at ISU, he was involved in over $900 million worth of construction on campus. He was also the designer on Community projects such as the Veterans Memorial Plaza on the grounds of the Vigo County Courthouse, Wabash riverfront Development, and the Terre Haute South Rotary Club’s Centennial Park located on the Heritage Trail at 25th and Locust Street.

Active in local organizations, he served on boards for organizations such as: Art Spaces, Terre Haute South Rotary, TREES Inc., the City of Terre Haute Tree Board, the National Road Association, the Clark-Landsbaum Deming Park Holly Arboretum, the Third Street Corridor Enhancement Coalition, National Road Heritage Trail, University School Scouts, TH South Little League, Wabash Valley United Way, Wabash River Beautification (riverSCAPE) project, and numerous other civic groups.

Mr. Runion served as a former Board of Trustees President for the Memorial United Methodist Church of Terre Haute. Additionally, he was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Association of Higher Education Facilities Managers.

A 1973 graduate of Ball State University, Mr. Runion was appointed by two governors and served on the Indiana Registration Board of Architects for over six years, as Vice Chair, and as an Administrative Law Judge.

Professionally, he became the first professional in the State to hold both architectural and landscape architectural certifications.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Emily (Cramer) Runion, formerly of Indianapolis and Lapel, Indiana; son, Michael S. Runion of Evansville, IN; grandsons, Nolan, Avaen, Rylan, and Oliver Runion and Coty Foltz; granddaughter Isabel; sister, Mary Claudette (Runion) Edwards (and husband Phil) of Indianapolis; daughter in law, Kim Runion of Seattle, WA; and brother in law, Miles Cramer (and wife Anita) of Bellingham, WA.

Kevin is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Christopher Runion; parents, Lloyd S. Runion (Roachdale/Crawfordsville/Terre Haute) and Geraldine (Clark) Runion (Fillmore/Crawfordsville/Terre Haute); and in laws, Max and Eleanor Cramer of Indianapolis.

A Family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: TREES, Inc., Friends of the Clark-Landsbaum Holly Arboretum, Art Spaces, the Indiana National Road Association, The Rotary International Scholarship Fund, or the Indiana State University Foundation Facilities Management SUPER fund.

Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN, is handling the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Kevin L. Runion. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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