C. Daniel Motsinger

C. Daniel Motsinger, 66, of Indianapolis, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, after a valiant fight with leukemia. He was born on October 16, 1956, to Harry and Miriam (Katanich) Motsinger in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dan graduated from Homestead High School in 1975, Hillsdale College, summa cum laude and as co-valedictorian, in 1979, and the University of Michigan Law School, cum laude, in 1982. While a student at Hillsdale, Dan served as a Judicial Intern and Temporary Research Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Following his graduation from University of Michigan Law School, Dan clerked for the Honorable James Lawrence King, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

He moved to Indianapolis after his clerkship, where he met his wife, Deb, on a blind date to the Ice Miller “Prom.” They moved to California, where Dan practiced at Cooley LLP in San Francisco for several years before returning to Indianapolis to raise a family. At the time of his passing, Dan was a partner and former chair of the Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group of Krieg DeVault LLP, a firm that he loved dearly and was a second family to him for over 26 years. Dan was an active and well-respected member of the Indianapolis and bankruptcy legal communities, serving on several boards and committees throughout his career.

Dan was known for his compassion, his zeal for the law, and his love of God and family. He was always kind to young or aspiring lawyers and enjoyed mentoring them and explaining the nuances of bankruptcy law, if the occasion called for it. No matter what he had going on, he would drop everything to help others. He was an active parishioner at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church and volunteered at his children’s schools, St. Simon and Brebeuf Jesuit.

Dan was fascinated by history, particularly World War II, as the son of a B-17 radio operator, and took every opportunity to learn something new about the past. He frequently donated items from his vast military collection to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force to ensure that the stories of the Mighty Eighth will be shared with the generations to come. He cherished years of wonderful memories with his family and, following his initial cancer diagnosis, beat all odds to spend more time with them.

Dan is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 38 years, Deborah Motsinger, and her parents, Darrell and Barbara Kirkland; his children, Katherine (and her husband, Garrett Gaughan) and David (and his fiancée, Zoe’ VanDeSteeg); many nieces, nephews, and cousins; his brother, Greg; and his two grand-dogs.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Flanner Buchanan,7855 Cork Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46236. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Road in Indianapolis. Rev. Doug Marcotte will officiate. A private burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to IU Health Foundation, P.O. Box 775589, Chicago, IL 60677. The check memorandum should read: “in honor of Dan Motsinger and in support of IUSCC BMT Program.” Donations also may be made online at https://www.iuhealthfoundation.org/donate. Select “IU Simon Cancer Center” as the location and add “Bone Marrow Transplant Program” in the comments after “In Honor Of.” In the alternative, donations may be made to The Lord’s Pantry at Anna’s House (https://annashousemsc.org/support-us/make-a-donation-2/) or the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E5192&id=1).

Dan and his family would like to thank his many doctors, nurses and caregivers whose expertise and compassion, aided by the prayers of many, allowed him five good years after a devastating diagnosis. We are especially grateful to Dr. Sharif Farag and his team at the IU Simon Cancer Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program; Dr. Ray Harwood, Hematology Oncology of Indiana; Dr. Paul Hamori, Internal Medicine, Ascension, St. Vincent; and the Compassus Hospice team.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord