David Bikoff

David Bikoff passed July 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. David was born on September 19, 1943 to parents, Wassel and Helen Hanton Bikoff  in Gary, IN.  His father worked at Carnegie Steel and mother was a housewife, although later was an office worker for the steel company. 

Dave attended high school at Gary’s Tolleston H.S., where he graduated in 1961.  He was very active in high school, being in ROTC, concert band (bass clarinet), science club, social club and being a member of the freshman basketball team.  He also played first base as a boy.  

Dave attended Indiana University graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree.  He was a member of Phi Delta Phi fraternity.  Along the way, on 8/28/1965 in San Diego, CA, he married Mary Elizabeth Bone, who was 20 at the time and also attended IU.  They were married 56 years until Betsy passed away on April 10, 2021.  

After college, Dave joined the Army and served in Vietnam.  He received multiple medals and was an excellent marksman since his days in ROTC.  After one year in Vietnam, he was honorably discharged early on June 6, 1968 to enter law school and earned his degree from Indiana Law School in 1971. Not having a middle name or initial was always a challenge to the Army for Dave and his title as Auto Mechanic did not match his Army office work assignments. 

Dave worked for the Office of Secretary of State after graduation and served as a Deputy Prosecutor for Marion County.  His independent spirit led him to establish his solo practice and officed at 151 N Delaware, Indianapolis. 

Dave had two passions including sailing and photography.  He had multiple sailboats, was Commodore of the Eagle Creek Yacht Club, and would self-sail boats up to 45 feet long in the Caribbean.  He could share America Cup races that he attended in amazing detail. 

He was also a very talented photographer, and had many awards earned in State Fair competitions.  He took photography classes and could develop his own photos in his own dark room.  His photo of a wheat field in Idaho still hangs in a corridor of the Hoosier Village Health Center.  His last residence of Room 304 was filled with beautiful nature settings from across the US, since landscapes were his favorite subject.  

David is preceded in death by his wife, Betsy Bikoff and his parents. 

A private inurnment will take place at a future date.