Sol Blickman

(Dec. 28, 1921-Nov. 26, 2006). Sol Blickman was born in Detroit, Michigan. A year later, the young Blickman family, Sol along with his parents Adolph and Fanny and older brother Jerome, moved to Indianapolis.

Blickman spent his youth in downtown Indianapolis, graduating as Valedictorian from Shortridge High School in 1939. He went on to study at Indiana University, graduating in 1944. During this time, he enlisted in the Army where he served at the rank of captain in World War II.

On May 15, 1949, Blickman married Toby (Thelma) Sachs. Shortly thereafter in 1950, Sol and his brother took over running their father’s jewelry store, Rogers & Co., after Adolph’s untimely passing. Sol took on the role of president of the company. While in this role, Blickman served as director of the National Jewelers Association as well as serving as president of the Indiana Jewelers Association.

The Blickman brothers decided to leave the jewelry business in 1959, selling Rogers & Co. to Zales. The brothers then founded a new business in Broad Ripple, Rogers Swimming Pools. As part of his role as a businessman, Sol participated in multiple organizations. He served as director of the Downtown Merchants Association as well as director of the National Wholesalers Association.

Outside of his career, Blickman took part in the community through his work in education and religion. He served as president of the Washington Township School Board and the Metropolitan Assembly of School Boards. He also played a role in reinstating summer school activities at Indianapolis Public Schools through a public-private partnership between the school system, Clarian, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, and other groups.

Blickman served youth as a Kiwanis International member for 25 years, some of which as director for the foundation. He earned multiple awards for his work through Kiwanis. In addition to being awarded a Civic Award, Blickman was named Kiwanian of the Year in 1986. The Downtown Kiwanis Career Award was presented to Blickman in 1990 for his work in founding the District Chairman for Academic Excellence.

Dedicated to his religion and the Jewish community, Blickman was both a member and president of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. He also served on the board of overseers of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.

In 2005, Blickman purchased the land between Marott Park and Holliday Park from the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. He donated the land to the Indianapolis Parks Foundation for the creation of the Blickman Educational Trail Park at White River. This served to both provide funds to the congregation while also creating a community space. For this, Governor Daniels awarded Blickman with the Distinguished Hoosier Award.

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.