Brian K. Hasler, age 61, of Indianapolis passed away peacefully on April 18, 2020. He was born October 28, 1958, in Terre Haute, Indiana, later growing up in Farmersburg, Indiana. Brian was a graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School and Indiana State University.
His professional career included working for: Townsend for Governor; the Indiana State Senate; Congressman Lee Hamilton; Congressman Bill Patman of Texas; Congressman Frank McCloskey; the Indiana Department of Commerce; Indiana State University as government relations assistant to President Dan Bradley; and as a lobbyist and project developer/manager for Hasler Consulting; Capitol Assets; and Beebe, Scherer and Associates.
Brian used his creative mind and energies to create the Victoria, Texas Democrat Club; Crane Economic Development Organization; U.S 41 Growth Corridor; Southern Indiana Recycling Initiative; Federal Eighth District Contracting Opportunities; and the Frank O’Bannon Service Award Program. He was also responsible for the recruitment of the first off-site facility of the Allison Engine Company in Evansville and for promoting the construction of Interstate I-69.
Brian served as President of: the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Chapter of ISU College Democrats; the College Democrats of Indiana; the Victoria Democrat Club; and the Evansville Number One Toastmasters Club. He also served on various boards, including the: Evansville Minority Supplier Development Council; Evansville Small Business Incubator; Timmy Foundation; Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra; Farrington Grove Neighborhood Association; and Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association. Brian organized the naming of the Evansville Convention Hall after community leader Bill Brooks. He also played a role in saving the historic West Baden Springs Hotel and the Evansville Farmers Market.
In 1996 Brian was elected State Representative for District 77 representing Evansville in the Indiana General Assembly and served until 2004. While a legislator, Brian was responsible for passage of : the Youth Access to Tobacco Act; the Workforce Development Act; landlord/tenant reform; and the Evansville Airport Development Zone. As the first chairman of the House Technology Committee, he passed a blueprint for implementation of technology in the State of Indiana. Brian was the recipient of nine “Legislator of the Year” awards during his time of service, as well as a Sagamore of the Wabash and a Kentucky Colonel. He also had the privilege of representing our state in a trade mission to Japan.
Brian was a founder/co-founder of three notable organizations: the Association of Retired Members of the Indiana General Assembly; the Indiana Racing Memorial Association; and the American Racing Memorial Association.
Brian was the author of two children’s books “Casper and Catherine Move to America; the adventures of an immigrant family coming to America in 1849-50” and “The Story of Sycamore Sam.” He also wrote a screenplay about the life of Indy 500 winner Bill Vukovich. He produced a documentary film about the Hasler family surviving during the great depression and created a video collection of photographs of his mother’s family starting in Wales and lasting over the next 100 years, and organized the 150th Hasler Family Reunion in 1999 at which over 500 family members from around the nation gathered.
Brian is predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Marjorie Hasler. He is survived by his children Hugh, Harry, and Rowan Hasler; his sisters Marcia Hasler and Joyce (Gary) Clinkenbeard; nieces Elisa Halpin and Kristin (Eric) McCorkle; great-nephew Samuel Halpin; and great-nieces Eleanor, Adeline, and Corinne McCorkle.
Brian’s greatest joy was being a father to his loving children, who meant the world to him. Hugh, Harry, and Rowan, you will always have someone looking down over you, someone who loves you with all of his heart. Brian also was a valued colleague, and loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by all. The family would like to thank all the staff at St. Vincent Hospice Inpatient Unit for the loving care they gave Brian these last months.
Due to these unprecedented times, there will be a private burial with graveside service at Crown Hill Cemetery at this time. A celebration of life will be held later this year. Memorial contributions can be made in Brian’s name to the St. Vincent Foundation, Attention: St. Vincent Hospice or to the IU Simon Cancer Center.