Chic Born

S. R. “Chic” Born II was born on April 19, 1945. He grew up in Atwood, Illinois where his parents owned a furniture store and funeral home. His father wanted him to take over the family businesses. His mother wanted him to be a doctor. Chic said he “wanted to do something else.”

He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at both Northwestern University and Simpson College. He completed his undergraduate degree at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington in 1970 and established a labor relations practice at Ice Miller LLP. Although he represented companies and school corporations, unions started asking him to help settle their disputes with other unions. That work introduced him to mediation, which he loved for its ability to achieve a win/win result for all parties. After 25 years at Ice Miller, Chic joined The Mediation Group LLC where he continued to help people resolve their disputes.

Chic was a leader in the Indiana legal community. He was selected for several years as one of Indiana’s Top Ten Super Lawyers. He also served as president of both the Indianapolis Bar Association (1988) and the Indiana State Bar Association (1997-98). From 1988 to 1998, he was a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates. He served on the Employer Labor Relations and OSHA committees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Associated General Contractors of Indiana, and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He was the recipient of too many awards to name, but he especially esteemed the Paul H. Buchanan Jr. Award of Excellence that he received from IndyBar in 2000.

Chic had an active and varied personal life of fly fishing, golf, skiing, football, softball, racquetball, travel, and amateur auto racing. He helped to establish the athletics program at First Baptist Church and was a deacon and elder at Second Presbyterian Church. He was also a leader in the Indianapolis Great Banquet, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Murat Shrine Temple, and Keystone Masonic Lodge #251, where he was lodge master.

Chic and his cherished wife, Brenda, had four children: Samuel R. “Trey” Born, III (Anne), Holly Born Ashby (Kevin), and Julie Sipe McDonald (Jon). Their beloved son, Jacob Corpenny Sipe, III preceded Chic in death. Chic’s parents, Samuel Roydon Born and Mary Derr Born, also predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Jane Kiley (Steve). His greatest joy could be found in his eight grandchildren: Jared Born, Caleb Born, Hannah Born, Curtis Devine, Nick Devine, Mackenzie McDonald, Lilly Ashby, and Reagan Ashby.

Chic passed away on October 20, 2023. Visitation will take place at Second Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, October 24 from 2 to 4 p.m., with a funeral to follow at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Second Presbyterian Church in his name.