Richard "Dick" Allen Payne

Richard “Dick” Allen Payne, 92, of Fishers, passed away April 23, 2025. He was born December 13, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Carl Thomas and Helen (Backenstoe) Payne. Dick was a graduate of Warren Central High School and attended Butler University for one year where he was on the Cross-Country track team. After concluding his Freshman year, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he specialized in demolitions. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Dick attended Indiana University, graduating from the I.U. School of Business with a B.S. in Accounting. He remained a passionate and loyal IU fan for his entire life. Early in his post-graduate career, Dick worked for Stokely Van Camp. Later, he worked for the City of Indianapolis in many capacities, including Deputy Treasurer during the Richard Lugar administration. During the last two decades of his career until his retirement, he served as Controller for the Indiana Department of Highways. Dick married the love of his life, Carol Jean Brower, on May 21, 1960. “I was mesmerized by your beauty” was the reason he offered when he inexplicably stopped at a green traffic light one evening while they were dating. He adored and remained devoted to Carol during their 57 years of marriage before she passed away in 2017. One of his favorite activities was to slow dance with Carol, and “Have you danced with your wife today” was a question he often asked his three sons. A devout Catholic, Dick was a longtime member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes. During his lifetime, Dick was active in the Republican Party. He managed election campaigns for county, state and congressional seats. He relished debating politics and current events with friends and family. An ardent advocate of education, he served on the Warren Township School Board for many years. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events and coached many of his sons’ youth baseball and basketball teams. He liked listening to classical and instrumental music and was a voracious reader and history buff. Dick is survived by his three sons: Mark (Julie) Payne and their daughters, Kaitlin (Ryan) Gibson and Caroline Payne; Scott (Phyllis) Payne and their sons, Alexander (Emily) Payne and Andrew Payne; and Steven (Jeanette) Payne and their sons Nicholas Payne and Jacob Payne, as well as two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol; sister, Mary Katherine Price; and brother, Thomas Carl Payne. Services are private and entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Allen Payne

December 13, 1932 - April 23, 2025