Mr Allan H. Weihe

Allan Hilbert Weihe, of Carmel, Indiana, died peacefully on January 18, 2014 at the age of 81. Allan was born on November 26, 1932 to the late William Ernst George Weihe and Hilda Justina Maschoff on their family farm near Carlyle, Illinois. He began school at a one-room country schoolhouse, and following graduation from Carlyle High School and receipt of a scholarship, he enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. While in college, Allan served as Treasurer for the University Lutheran Chapel and worked part-time in the Pastor's office, where he met his future wife, Joyce Marie Benning of Raymond, Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois in June 1955 with a B.S. in civil engineering, Allan joined the Illinois State Highway Department as a draftsman and paving inspector, working on Highway 66 during the time when it was being converted from a two-lane to a four-lane highway. In January 1956, he enlisted in the Army and was posted to Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, Virginia, in a program for engineers. There he served as an instructor and later supervisor, for construction drafting. Following Joyce's graduation from the University of Illinois in 1956, she moved to the Alexandria area to teach elementary school and be closer to Allan. On June 30, 1957, they were married in Joyce's home church in Raymond, Illinois. After completing his military service in January 1958, Allan accepted a position as a civil engineer with Rochester & Goodell, an engineering consulting firm based in Salem, Illinois that focused on interstate highway design. In July 1959, Allan and Joyce moved to Indianapolis, attracted by the people and opportunity presented, where Allan began working for Elvan Scotten, a local surveyor and engineer. In April 1960, Allan started Allan H. Weihe Engineers, initially operating out of a converted bedroom in the family residence. In 1964, he was elected Hamilton County Surveyor. In 1966, reflecting a broader scope of activity, he changed the name of his firm to Weihe Engineers, which it still bears today. With the increasing demands of his business, he chose not to seek reelection as County Surveyor after his term ended in 1968. He remained active as the President of Weihe Engineers until he retired in April 2010, after 50 years of leading the company. During his tenure as County Surveyor Allan began doing a significant amount of residential development work, including work on his first subdivision, Wellington Heights. He went on to develop hundreds of acres in the Noblesville and northern Indianapolis area, including many other Wellington developments. In addition to development work, Allan built several residential houses and commercial buildings. In 1971, he founded Weihe Construction, which performed the construction work needed for his development projects. Allan and Joyce were lifelong Lutherans active in supporting the work of the church. Initially members of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, in 1976 they became charter members of Carmel Lutheran Church. Allan served in many capacities at Carmel Lutheran, including as a member of the Constitution, Building and Finance Committees, and as Trustee, Elder and Bible study leader. He also served on the board of directors and Building Committee of the Lutheran High School of Indianapolis. On November 16, 2007, the Allan and Joyce Weihe Math Room was dedicated at the Lutheran High School. Allan was active in the local community his entire life. In 1978, he was elected to the board of directors of the American National Bank of Noblesville, where he served for 11 years. In 1991 he was selected as a member of the initial board of directors of the Legacy Fund, a philanthropic foundation created to aid the Hamilton County community. A modest man who enjoyed his work and sought to make a difference, Allan was quoted in a March 7, 1989 article in the Noblesville Ledger, stating: "I would like to be remembered for making an improvement in the community and making it a better place to live." Allan is survived by his four children, John Weihe, David Weihe, Elizabeth Weihe-Kenney and Robert Weihe, five grandchildren, Ian and Alexander Kenney, and Gabriella, Josie and Benjamin Weihe, a brother, Reginald Weihe, and a sister, Shirley Schroeder. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, who passed away on October 19, 2007. Visitation will take place at Carmel Lutheran Church today, January 21, from 4 to 7 pm. A memorial service will be held at Carmel Lutheran Church at 10 am the following day, Wednesday, with visitation also available in the hour preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran High School of Indianapolis or Carmel Lutheran Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel. Friends and family wishing to express condolences may do so at www.flannerbuchanan.com