Courtesy of The News-Banner
By Holly Gaskill
Roger Thornton planned to spend his Wednesday afternoon like he does many days: talking to people, learning where he could be of service.
On this particular occasion, he was headed into Bluffton City Hall for a chat with Mayor Scott Mentzer and Bluffton Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter. The meeting was nothing out of the ordinary, he said, apart from the sudden decision to meet in an upstairs office.
As he reached the landing of the stairwell, however, Thornton came face-to-face with dozens of friends, family and community members. For a rare moment, Thornton was speechless.
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce organized the surprise announcement, honoring Thornton as the Wells County Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
“You have done so much in our community,” said Erin Prible, chamber executive director. “You’ve touched lives through the different efforts you’ve raised money for to better our community, to provide quality of life, quality of place … You truly are an inspiration, and we are so thankful for you.”
Thornton and his wife, Marge, moved to Bluffton in 2012 to be closer to their grandchildren. He had worked in education for 45 years, including 25 years as a public school superintendent and six years as the executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.
And although retired, Thornton didn’t find his work to be done.
“As a guy who was superintendent of schools for 25 years, you get to see kids and families that are impacted by the quality of community,” Thornton told The News-Banner. “And I observed, after a while, that we needed a park in the north part of the city.”
Thornton first approached the Bluffton Common Council about the matter in 2018, and then ran for council in 2019 with the park being a prominent issue.
He then spearheaded fundraising efforts for Lancaster Park’s construction and, as Fiechter described on Wednesday, personally knocked on doors to attain the necessary easements to extend the interurban trail to the park.
“In less than eight hours, Roger rallied $85,000 in community support, jump-starting a project that would have taken me years to fund through traditional budgeting,” Fiechter wrote in a nomination letter. “His dedication not only accelerated the timeline but also strengthened the overall vision of the park.”
Thornton stepped down from public office in November 2022 but has remained deeply involved in community projects. He most recently helped garner support for a new community pool, serving as co-chair of a committee that raised over $1.2 million. The project broke ground this summer, and the new Wells County Community Aquatic Park is expected to open to the public next year.
Former mayor John Whicker added in another nomination letter, “Roger’s lifelong passion for children, rooted in his career in education, has fueled his unwavering support for projects that enhance the quality of life for our community’s youth … Roger Thornton exemplifies community service. His vision, persistence and hands-on leadership have left an indelible mark on Bluffton and Wells County.”
In Thornton’s eyes, however, he was “given the opportunity to help” with these projects. He aids a grander vision — something beyond his own capabilities — which he said would not be possible without the Wells County community.
“And so, as an old guy who needs something to do, it was a real joy,” he joked. “It’s just been fun. In each case, it’s exceeded what we ever thought possible.”
Because of this, Thornton promptly reflected the recognition to the many people who have brought these projects to fruition — Fiechter, Mentzer, Whicker, fundraising committee co-chair Mark Miller, and the many individuals and businesses that have donated.
“All those contributors should be on that (award sign), because every time somebody would come up with something that needed to be done, the community here in Bluffton is filled with people who care,” Thornton said in response to Prible’s announcement. “What a blessing that is.”
Thornton will be recognized during the Wells County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards ceremony Feb. 23 with the Business of the Year and the Teachers of the Year from the county’s three public school districts.
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