Half a century in Spencer: The remarkable life and career of attorney Richard Lorenz
To many across Owen County, Richard Lorenz was the quintessential small-town attorney who never truly retired, simply because he loved the work too much. Yet beneath his commanding presence and half-century tenure with the county’s oldest law firm lay a deeply layered life. Whether he was serving as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, embarking on globe-trotting adventures with his wife, Nancy, or offering behind-the-scenes guidance to local government boards, Lorenz lived a story defined by long-term commitment and quiet excellence.
Lorenz arrived in Spencer in 1973, carrying a newly minted law degree and an appointment as deputy prosecutor. Over the ensuing decades, he evolved into far more than a mere legal fixture across Owen County. He became a steady architect of local growth, a trailblazing partner at the historic firm of Hickam and Lorenz, and a cherished community presence alongside Nancy, his wife of nearly 57 years. When Lorenz passed away on Aug. 13 of this year at the age of 80, he left behind a profound legacy defined by civic dedication, enduring friendships, and an unwavering love for his adopted hometown.
“He loved the practice of law and its ability to affirmatively impact the lives of individuals and our community. Richard [Lorenz] was a teacher at heart and his approach to mentorship was not only intended to develop new legal advocates that strengthened our profession as a whole but to also instill the desire to help people who could not advocate for themselves, and to make our community a better place for all of us.” - Attorney Jack Woodruff, Hickam & Lorenz
Roots, education, and arrival in Spencer
Born in Shelbyville in 1946, Lorenz’s early life was marked by a passion for music and science. Encouraged by his aunt, Dr. Phyllis J. Fleming, he attended the University of Notre Dame to major in chemistry, laying the groundwork for a disciplined, analytical mind that would later serve him well in the courtroom and boardroom. His path to Spencer was intertwined with Nancy, whom he met in Indianapolis after borrowing a pencil in a summer school class.
After marrying in 1969 and living on the Indiana University Bloomington campus while Lorenz completed his MBA and law degrees, the young couple moved to a home on Hillcrest Drive in Spencer in ‘73. They would cherish and maintain that residence for the next five decades.
Expanding upon that early chapter, Lorenz went on to build an extraordinary municipal and federal career. His public service footprint included serving as the Owen County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1973 to ‘74, Owen County Attorney from 1977 to ‘78 and again from 2005 to ‘18, Trustee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana from 1979 to 2016, and Attorney for the Town of Spencer from 2004 until his passing. After leaving the county prosecutor’s office to launch his own practice, Lorenz achieved a rare professional milestone by accepting an invitation to join Hickam & Hickam, located on the northwestern corner of S. Main and W. Franklin streets in Spencer, becoming the firm's first non-family member to enter the oldest family law partnership in the state.
A pillar of the legal community and government
Known today as Hickam & Lorenz, the firm was his professional home for more than fifty years. He practiced bankruptcy and corporate law with relentless enthusiasm, famously taking a client call just two days before his passing. Beyond private practice, his deep commitment to public service shone through his long tenure as attorney for the Town of Spencer.
As Spencer Town Council President Jon Stantz reflected on how Lorenz’s legal guidance shaped the town over his years of service, he noted that Lorenz preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
“Richard always wanted to be involved… mostly behind the scenes and quietly,” he said. “His legal acumen reached well past anything the town or the county needed; that was apparent in his time with other legal endeavors.”
When asked what motivated Lorenz’s dedicated commitment to public service, Stantz pointed to his ability to anticipate the community's long-term needs.
“I would say that Richard was always interested in making Spencer and Owen County a better place,” he said. “He could see the future better than most, looking twenty, thirty years ahead.”
Describing their personal bond beyond the professional realm, Stantz added a concluding thought on their friendship.
“He may have been an attorney to a lot of people,” Stantz said, “but he was a friend to me. I miss him.”
Town councilwoman Ginger Kohr, who served alongside Lorenz during his final year, observed how thoroughly prepared he remained across multiple municipal bodies.
“His perspective was always valued and I was relieved every time he walked into the town council meetings or to any of the various other meetings in which he was involved, the Redevelopment Commission, for instance, and Planning and Zoning, because you could count on him to be up to date on our issues, and on current laws and proposed laws that pertained to what we were doing or considering,” she explained. “I know that his many years of experience gave him a thorough background, but it was his grasp of all things current that amazed me. How did he find the time to keep up with the ever-changing field of state and county legislation while doing all that he did for us week by week, month by month? I was dazzled by his intelligence and comforted that we had his knowledge to rely on.”
Town councilman Evan McKalip also reflected on Lorenz's enduring impact when asked about the underlying motivation of his public service.
“I think that public service was just a key element of Richard’s personality and values,” he said. “The work that he chose to do was always focused on public service to some end, whether you look at his military service or his legal work, we were just lucky enough to have him working here in Spencer.”
Detailing Lorenz’s working style and dedication during deliberations, McKalip emphasized his visionary approach to local development.
“Richard was always thoughtful and deliberate in his advice and recommendations,” he said. “When he would speak about development and growth for Spencer or Owen County, you could tell that he had long-term plans and hopes for improvements. He always worked so hard and was very passionate about the town.”
Owen County Councilman Anton Neff also reflected on Lorenz’s administrative impact and dedication to county governance.
"Richard had always been a dependable source of knowledge on any subject,” Neff said. “We didn't always agree on the approach to tackling some issues, but I could always count on him sharing his perspective and respected his insight. He became our county attorney following a difficult and challenging situation involving a former one. He was calm and deliberate when working with us. Outside of county government work, Richard (and his wife, Nancy) had always been generous community philanthropists, of which we will forever be grateful."
A legal renaissance man and mentor
Within the legal community, Lorenz’s legacy is equally profound. Attorney John McKay, his brother-in-law and law partner, described Lorenz’s unique approach in private practice.
“Richard was truly a legal Renaissance man. His approach to most problems went far beyond a standard nuts-and-bolts stock response,” McKay said. “Richard could almost always look outside the parameters of a problem and craft a solution that was unique.”
Discussing what it was like to work alongside him day-to-day; McKay highlighted Lorenz’s role as a trusted colleague and educator within the firm.
“Richard was a sought-after sounding board for many attorneys across Indiana. His thoughts and opinions were widely respected,” McKay said. “He was a mentor to several associate attorneys who started with our firm. And he was a mentor and a source of advice to me for the past nearly 36 years that I have practiced with him. I always took it as a hugely high compliment that Richard would tell me that he enjoyed working on legal matters and pleadings with me, and that he sought and valued my input on his drafts.”
When asked about a moment that captured his professional essence, McKay observed that his uniform treatment of every client defined his career.
“Richard treated every client with the same kindness, courtesy, and respect, and I feel in many instances Richard was the only attorney who could have helped some of the folks we have seen,” he said.
Reflecting on what the community should remember most, McKay summarized the breadth of his life outside the courtroom.
“That he was so much more than an attorney. He was a philanthropist, a volunteer, and an advisor to groups and individuals on myriad matters outside the law,” he said. “Richard was also my brother-in-law, and through the years we enjoyed discussions and debates, Notre Dame football and IU basketball, trips together, Dilbert and Far Side cartoons, the movie Forbidden Planet, holiday gatherings, and musical performances. Richard was an excellent clarinet player in the Notre Dame Marching Band, both undergraduate and alumni iterations, and a singer of no mean talent. Many were the times he would lead the office in a round of Christmas carols or break into a rendition of one of his favorites, ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ from Oklahoma!”
Adding further depth to Lorenz’s professional legacy, Jack Woodruff, a veteran attorney at Hickam & Lorenz who joined the firm in 1998, reflected on what truly set his colleague apart as a legal mind.
“I practiced law in Owen County for 11 years prior to joining with Richard at the Hickam Law firm in ‘98. I will acknowledge that during that time I always found him to be a tough but respected and respectful adversary who required you to bring your best game,” Woodruff said. “No doubt I will be echoing others’ sentiments, but what really stood out to me after joining the Hickam firm was Richard’s constant reminder to all of us to ‘look at the global picture.’ Although it was not unusual for us to tease Richard about his constant use of this catch phrase, it was his innate ability to successfully see or predict future consequences that really set him apart. I learned to respect his unique ability to look beyond what most of us see. It was almost like he had his own crystal ball; and in most cases it keep him three steps ahead of the rest of us.”
Describing the daily reality of sharing an office with Lorenz and witnessing firsthand how he invested in the next generation of attorneys, Woodruff shared his perspective on mentorship and daily collaboration.
“Richard never hesitated to share his wealth of legal, business, financial and technical knowledge. I believe he relished every opportunity to mentor young attorneys,” he said. “He loved the practice of law and its ability to affirmatively impact the lives of individuals and our community. Richard was a teacher at heart and his approach to mentorship was not only intended to develop new legal advocates that strengthened our profession as a whole but to also instill the desire to help people who could not advocate for themselves, and to make our community a better place for all of us. That was his approach to the practice of law and to life in general.”
Looking at the broader picture of how the community should remember his decades of service, Woodruff offered a heartfelt tribute to Lorenz's character and selflessness.
“I hope the local community will remember Richard as a man with a huge heart who loved his community,” he said, “who generously gave of himself and his resources to make our corner of the world a better place; and that he was willing to be a voice for those who thought they could not be heard even at the cost of his own reputation.”
Finally, reflecting on the transition from professional adversary to trusted partner, Woodruff shared a personal memory highlighting Lorenz's sharp wit, diverse intellect, and unforgettable humor.
“Richard was an extremely funny man, with great wit and a wicked sense of humor,” Woodruff said. “I will always cherish my memories of Richard walking into my office to give advice, seek advice, shoot the bull, to discuss local and world politics, to share his latest tech toys, to discuss art, literature and history, and to inevitably share his latest ‘dad joke’ which in most cases was not funny but always resulted in my hearty laughter because Richard cracked himself up every time telling the joke. After more than 28 years practicing with Richard and sharing life in and out of the office, he was my brother and I will miss him greatly.”
A rewarding personal life and deep connections
Lorenz’s impact also extended to civic institutions like the Owen County Community Foundation, the Area 10 Agency on Aging, and the Boys and Girls Club. Behind his professional accomplishments was a rich personal life anchored by his partnership with Nancy. Though they had different personalities, they viewed those differences as strengths, proofreading each other's work and building a life of mutual respect.
Lorenz’s service ethic extended far beyond the courtroom. He led a local Girl Scout troop in his early years in Spencer and embraced new technology with the enthusiasm of a lifelong learner. Whether he was traveling the globe with Nancy, cheering for Notre Dame football, or welcoming students to their home, Lorenz lived a life of vibrant curiosity and deep devotion to others.
In a twist of remarkable serendipity, Lorenz spent a year of his military service stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, a post named in honor of Horace Meek Hickam, the son of a Spencer attorney. Years later, that very military connection would mirror his civilian destiny, as Lorenz joined the historic firm founded by the Hickam family, eventually lending his own name to the practice.
Horace Hickam tragically lost his life in a 1934 night-landing accident in Texas and now rests at Arlington National Cemetery. Decades after these intertwined paths first crossed, the newly minted Hickam & Lorenz law firm received the Indiana Lieutenant Governor's Century Business Award in 1999, cementing its proud legacy as the oldest family law partnership in the state of Indiana.
