Portal:Indianapolis/Selected biography/7
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Richard Lieber (September 5, 1869 – April 15, 1944) was a German-American businessman who became the father of the Indiana state parks system. At his death, he could be considered the most powerful spokesman in the United States for the conservation of natural resources.
He was born into privilege in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 1869. As a young child he was largely tutored, due to having tuberculosis that was obtained from a chest injury. He was also frequently in trouble due to his free spirited nature.
With the centennial of Indiana's statehood of 1916, Lieber thought that Indiana needs its own parks like 1/3 of other states. He encouraged Indiana Governor Samuel M. Ralston to start the State Parks Committee, with Lieber as chairman. With his twenty-man committee, he started acquiring parks, succeeding with McCormick's Creek and Turkey Run both opening on December 11, 1916, without any state funds (Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a major private donor).
A quote from Lieber summarizes his beliefs: “Our parks and preserves are not mere picnicking places,” he said. “They are rich storehouses of memories and reveries. They are guides and counsels to the weary and faltering in spirit. They are bearers of wonderful tales to him who will listen; a solace to the aged and an inspiration to the young.”
