H. Roll McLaughlin

1922 - 2017

H. Roll McLaughlin

94, of Carmel, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2017.  

Roll was born November 29, 1922 to William T. and Ruth Roll McLaughlin in Indianapolis where he graduated Shortridge High School in 1941 then attended John Herron Art School.

During World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy Seabees in the 108th Naval Construction Battalion, taking part in the Normandy invasion and building and operating the Mulberry harbour at Omaha Beach. 

Roll always had a flair for design and apprenticed with architects Fred Mertz and Hugh Bremmerman then joined Edward James, Architect, which later became James Associates.  He was one of the principal architects of Park Tudor School designing the early buildings and later consulting on others.  Roll and his wife, Linda, paired her interior decorating skills with his design talents working together on several projects, including Foster Hall at Park Tudor and Morris Butler House.

Perhaps best known as a champion of historic preservation in Indianapolis, in 1960, Roll co-founded with Eli Lilly, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana (now Indiana Landmarks, he was chairman emeritus).  He was involved with reconstruction or restoration of many historic buildings throughout Indiana, including Angel Mounds Historic Site, Morris Butler House Museum, Beck Chapel at Indiana University, DePauw University East College, City Market, New Harmony Opera House and many others. 

Roll served on the advisory board of the Historic American Buildings Survey and National Park Service, had been a board member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was chairman of the National Committee for the American Institute of Architects' Historic Resources Committee.  He was also elected to the College of Fellows, American Institute of Architects.

Passionate about his volunteer work, Roll also served on the boards of Park Tudor School, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Eiteljorg Museum, Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, Historic New Harmony, and Conner Prairie. Additionally, he was a past president of the Indiana Historical Society and Woodstock Club. Roll was a member of Mystic Tie Lodge #398, Scottish Rite and honored as a 33rd Degree Mason. Among his numerous achievements are the Sagamores of the Wabash awarded by Governors Branigin, Bowen, and Orr. 

Possessing a great love for gardening and the outdoors, he could often be spotted tooling around the yard on his tractor.  A natural talent at photography and drawing, he was especially adept at cartooning, frequently on a napkin or greeting card.  He enjoyed antique cars and was a past member of Milestone Car Society.  An avid reader, he was also a member of Indianapolis Literary Club. 

Roll was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Linda Hamilton McLaughlin. He is survived by his son, Harry R. "Mac" McLaughlin, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Margo Raikos McLaughlin.

Services will be held on Sunday, April 30th , 2:00 pm Masonic Services, 2:30 rite of Christian burial, Rev. C. Davies Reed presiding at the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery followed by a reception at Woodstock Club.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff of The Barrington for their care of Roll. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana Landmarks, Park Tudor School, Historic New Harmony, or any civic or charitable organization of choice.