Darell E. “Gene” Zink, Jr.

Darell E. “Gene” Zink, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on March 4, 2026, at the age of 79. Born on July 29, 1946, in Houston, Texas, he was the son of the late Darell Sr. and Lois Ruth (Ingalls) Zink. From an early age, Gene displayed a deep sense of curiosity, determination, and leadership that shaped a remarkable life of service in business, education, and civic affairs.

Gene’s academic path was distinguished. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from the University of Hawaii, and a Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. His contributions were later recognized with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Indianapolis in 2016 and his induction as a Fellow of the Academy of Law Alumni by the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2020.

A strategic thinker and bold innovator, Gene served as Executive Chairman of Strategic Capital Partners, LLC, where he guided strategic planning, investments, fundraising, and investor relations. Earlier, he co-founded Duke Realty and spent 26 years as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, helping grow the company into a $10 billion NYSE-listed real estate investment trust known for its performance and integrity. His professional life began in public service as a Captain in the United States Air Force, followed by a legal career as a partner at Bose McKinney & Evans before joining Duke Realty in 1982.

Deeply committed to his community, Gene gave generously of his time and leadership to numerous organizations in Indianapolis and beyond. He served on the boards of Newfields, the Ivy Tech Foundation, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, the Indy Chamber, Park Tudor School, the Park Tudor Foundation, CICOA, the Pleasant Run Foundation, United Way of Central Indiana, Fifth Third Bank, People’s Bank, VEI, Windrose Medical Properties Trust, and Kite Realty Group. One of his most enduring legacies was co-founding the Challenge Foundation Academy, an inner-city charter school recognized for its success in educating students from underserved neighborhoods. With his wife, he also established The Gene and Mary Ann Zink Poverty Institute at the University of Indianapolis.

Gene is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Thomison) Zink; his daughter, Elizabeth “Lisa” Donahue (Joe) of Woodinville, Washington; his son, William “Will” Zink of Indianapolis; his sister, Lucianne Hunsperger (Wayne) of Englewood, Colorado; and his cherished grandchildren, William, Madeleine “Maddie”, and Hollins Donahue, and William “Liam” Zink, Jr. and Claire Zink. His family was his greatest source of pride, and his legacy of strength, compassion, and leadership will endure through them.