Herman Charles Krannert

(Nov. 5, 1887-Feb. 24, 1972). A native of Chicago, Herman Charles Krannert graduated from the University of Illinois in 1912 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He began his career in the paperboard and container industry in 1914 with Sefton Manufacturing Company of Chicago. In 1917, he became manager of its plant in Anderson, Indiana, where he also married the former Ellnora Decker in 1919.

In 1925, Krannert moved to Indianapolis and founded the Inland Container Corporation, serving as president, treasurer, and director of the company from its founding until 1952 when he became chairman of both the board and the executive committee.

Krannert was also a director of the Indiana National Bank as well as several companies outside of Indianapolis. He served as president of the board of trustees of the Indianapolis-Marion County Building Authority, trustee of Butler University and Indiana Central College, and as a director of the Indianapolis Civic Progress Association.

In 1952, the Krannerts established the Robert M. Moore Heart Clinic at Indianapolis City Hospital. This became the Krannert Institute of Cardiology, part of the Health and Hospital Corporation, Wishard Hospital, and Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM).  He endowed Krannert Tower at Methodist Hospital and the Krannert Pavilion at University Hospital on the IUSM campus.

Krannert On Management, a collection of his lectures at the Krannert Graduate School of Industrial Administration, Purdue University, was published in 1966. A second edition, including additional lectures, was published in 1974. Krannert established a course in legal techniques at Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington.

The Krannerts established the Krannert Foundation and the Krannert Charitable Trust. Among their joint major gifts were grants for the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Krannert Art Museum, both at the University of Illinois; the Krannert School of Management and Graduate School of Management at Purdue University; and the Krannert Building at IUPUI on East 38th Street, Indianapolis. They also donated the Krannert Room at Clowes Memorial Hall; Krannert Hall, a women’s dormitory at the University of Indianapolis; the Krannert Memorial YMCA; and a Memorial Parlor at Meridian Street Methodist Church.

The Krannert Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) was named in their honor. A supporter of the Art Association of Indianapolis, Krannert was chairman of the board of trustees of the IMA during the development and building of the new museum. He set up an endowment and challenge grant program that raised construction funds. The Herman C. Krannert Memorial Fund was used to purchase decorative arts for the IMA.

In recognition of his many business and civic contributions, Krannert was awarded numerous honorary degrees including a Doctor of Humane Letters from Butler University in 1960, a Doctor of Industrial Administration from Purdue University in 1962, and a Doctor of Laws from Indiana University in 1957.

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