Daniel Robert Carroll

Daniel Robert Carroll of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away December 4 at his home. He was 69.

Dan grew up in Buffalo, New York, as the oldest of five children from Charles Carroll and Elizabeth Lochren, a nurse who raised the children as a single mother after the death of Dan’s father. A skilled musician, Dan played French horn and attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he made valued friendships with a group of close classmates. He played with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, attended Tanglewood Music Center, toured nationally with jazz musicians Chuck and Gap Mangione, and served as principal horn player with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He made many friends at the ISO, including the symphony’s principal bass player, Helen (Palmer) Carroll, with whom he married and had three children, Benjamin, Evelyn, and Caitlin. In his final years at the symphony, he earned a law degree at Indiana University — Indianapolis and later practiced law and founded a wine distribution company, Carroll Company.

Dan was a loving father who relished the role of caretaker and proud parent. Among his favorite activities was sitting at the head of the table and sharing stories over a long meal with family. Stories regularly featured the family’s many adventures and misadventures camping in the mountains of Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming — including the long van trips from Indianapolis — and memories of his children growing up on Williams Creek Drive along the White River.

Dan enjoyed friends and fellowship and found many comrades throughout his life. He was a loyal, lifelong fan and critic of the Buffalo Bills and often hosted neighbors for football Sundays. For many years, he also hosted far-flung friends and family for Indy 500 weekends of merriment and mischief. Dan had a sharp command of history, which he enjoyed discussing, among many other topics. He was proud of his Irish heritage and had a complementary palate, with a well-known fondness for potatoes. Over the years and up until his final days, he was a regular at several Broad Ripple and surrounding area establishments and a familiar face to many.

Though he was not known to talk about his feelings, he was a profoundly caring man who expressed his love, especially for his children, deeply. He has left us with a lifetime of stories to share around the table and we are forever grateful. Dan leaves behind his three children Benjamin Carroll, Evelyn Carroll and Caitlin Carroll (Brad Forder), former wife and dear friend Helen Carroll, and siblings Tom Carroll, Steve Carroll, John Carroll and Anne Carroll. A service will take place at a later date. Those who wish to honor his memory are invited to make a donation to Eastman School of Music or Friends of the White River.