Daniel Ray Adler

Beloved husband and father Daniel “Dan” Ray Adler of Carmel, Indiana passed away too soon at the age of 50 after a courageous fight against colon cancer.

Dan was born on May 17, 1971, to Norbert and Margie (Martin) Adler and was the youngest of nine children.  Dan was raised in Haubstadt, Indiana and was proud of his German Catholic heritage.  He could often be heard singing the German folk song “Schnitzelbank” the loudest at family weddings and gatherings.  Dan earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Ball State University and was passionate about his career as Director of Site Planning and Landscape Architecture at BSA LifeStructures, where he was LEED-certified and an early advocate of sustainable design.  Dan was licensed to lead the firm’s landscape architecture projects across multiple states.  In fact Dan designed the entire main entrance at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis, as well as the healing gardens at the Community North and Ascension St. Vincent Cancer Centers where he would eventually receive his own treatments and care.

Dan’s life goal of being married with a family of his own by the age of 40 was realized when he and Lori (Mosher) Adler were married in Carmel, Indiana, on February 12, 2011 and they became an immediate family of three with Lori’s son and Dan’s stepson Adam (who was 18 months old at the time), with Dan and Lori’s own daughter Lena being born on May 16, 2011, one day before Dan’s 40^th birthday.  Dan was the yin to Lori’s yang, and Adam and Lena were the apples of Dan’s eye; he loved nothing more than to be out in the yard with them playing pitch and catch, shooting hoops in the driveway or coaching them in their sports activities.  Dan greatly enjoyed his family’s frequent travel adventures, with favorite destinations including Hilton Head Island, SC, any West coast city and US National Parks.  He was not fond of cruises.

Anyone who knew Dan knows he was an avid sports enthusiast.  Dan participated in multiple team sports in his own youth, played on his high school’s golf team and in several social/pick-up basketball, softball and soccer leagues as an adult.  Dan was the consummate St. Louis Cardinals fan, and also championed the Pittsburgh Steelers and Purdue Boilermakers, often to the point of losing his voice.  Dan had a gentle, kind and quiet demeanor; he was lovely company to his family and friends.  It may come as a surprise that Dan’s favorite music was actually 80’s and 90’s heavy metal, with yacht rock as a close second, of course.  He had an infectious belly laugh, made frequent, groan-worthy “dad” jokes and only raised his voice when the family pets romped through his meticulous garden.  Dan was devout in his faith and was a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where he attended Mass [almost] weekly.

Dan was preceded in death by his father Norbert, mother Margie, sister-in-law Joanne Adler and brothers-in-law Howard Kays and Ed Reinhart.  He is survived by his wife Lori, stepson Adam, daughter Lena; siblings Patricia Reinhart, Thomas (Marilyn) Adler, David (Linda) Adler, Joan Kays, Susan (Ronnie) Forney, Jeffrey (Cindy) Adler, Mary Jo (Pat) Braun and Barbara (Jeff) Spindler; parents-in-law Tim and Colleen Mosher, brothers-in-law Scott (Erinn) Mosher, Brian (Erin) Mosher, and many, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  When asked at holiday time what was on his birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift list, Dan’s response was always simply “the love of my family”.  Dan knew indeed what matters most in life.

Family and friends may call from 5-8pm on Tuesday, Sept 14, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at 10655 Haverstick Road, Carmel, IN, with additional calling hours on Wednesday, Sept 15 at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Dan’s honor to :  Community Health Network Foundation, Attn:  Oncology Research, 7240 Shadeland Station, Indianapolis, IN 46256, or https://www.ecommunity.com/community-foundation