H.E. "Herb" Thyen

Co-Founder
Kimball International

Laureate 2025

Herbert E. Thyen: A Legacy of Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence

Early Life and Education Herbert E. Thyen was born on April 3, 1912, in Jasper, Indiana, to Conrad and Katherine Sermersheim Thyen. Despite losing his father at a young age, Herb demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to personal growth. He completed his primary education at the Jasper Academy for Boys and remained a lifelong resident of Jasper, deeply rooted in the community he loved.

Family Life On January 9, 1936, Herb married Maxine E. Schneider. Together, they built a loving family, raising six children—Ronald, John, Carol, James, Michael, and Mary Susanne—and nurturing a legacy that extended to 15 grandchildren. Herb and Maxine shared a partnership that emphasized hard work, family values, and a pursuit of excellence.

Personal Passions and Community Contributions A devoted breeder, trainer, and exhibitor, Herb excelled in raising Shetland and Hackney ponies as well as King, Modena, and Homing pigeons. His and Maxine’s efforts produced numerous World and American Champion ponies, all while instilling a strong work ethic in their children.
Herb was deeply committed to his faith, as evidenced by his lifelong membership at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and his active participation in organizations like the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), the Sorin Society of Notre Dame, the Einsiedeln Society of St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary, and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Serving as captain of many fund drives, he supported the construction in 1972 of a new Providence Home, known today as Cathedral Health Care. The Herbert and Maxine Thyen endowment was established for the benefit of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was honored with numerous awards, including the Diocesan Brute Award, the Sagamore of America Award, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Lincoln Trails District of the Boy Scouts of America.

Herb’s dedication to youth and community development was evident through his work as President of the Dubois County 4-H Council. In 1969, he led the initiative to acquire 44 acres of land and helped establish the Dubois County Park and Recreation Board, which resulted in the creation of the current 4-H Fairgrounds—a lasting resource for the community.

As a conservationist and steward of the land, Herb was appointed to the Indiana Natural Resources Defense Council, where he served for many years. His tenure included the period during which the Patoka Reservoir was constructed, culminating in its completion in 1978. This landmark project has since become a vital resource for flood control, water supply, and recreation in the region, reflecting Herb’s commitment to environmental preservation.

Herb and Maxine’s commitment to education and philanthropy also led them to establish scholarship endowments at St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary, Xavier University, and a library endowment at the University of Notre Dame.

Political Leadership Herb's innovative spirit extended to public service. After serving on the Jasper City Council in the 1940s, he was appointed mayor in 1945 following the untimely death of Mayor Bartley. In 1948, Herb was elected to a full six-year term.

As mayor, Herb tackled the public health crisis of infantile polio. Understanding that flies were a vector for disease, he led Jasper to become the first community in the world to eliminate open-air garbage collection, mandating that all homes install garbage disposals. This forward-thinking ordinance gained national recognition and demonstrated Herb’s ability to pair innovation with community well-being.

Professional Achievements Herb began his career as a sales engineer at Jasper Wood Products in the 1930s, where he became a self-taught expert in flat and molded plywood manufacturing. During World War II, Jasper Wood Products served as a defense contractor, and Herb played a pivotal role in developing unique products such as molded spruce struts for Howard Hughes' famous “Spruce Goose” and molded plywood gliders used during the D-Day invasion.

In 1950, Herb was one of four founding members of The Jasper Corporation, which later became Kimball International, Inc. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small local business to a global enterprise with 6,500 employees across three continents, eight countries, and 23 states. The company excelled in manufacturing television cabinetry, Kimball Pianos, Kimball Home Electronic Organs, Kimball Office Furniture, National Office Furniture, and diverse components such as lumber, plywood, plastics, and metal assemblies.

Herb's innovative thinking led to the development of groundbreaking products, such as molded plywood water skis and seamless kitchen cabinet drawers. His organizational philosophies emphasized employee safety, profit-sharing retirement plans, and personal accountability, all articulated in the Kimball Guiding Principles.
Legacy Herb Thyen’s life was defined by his relentless pursuit of excellence and his dedication to helping others achieve their potential. He was a principled man whose word was his bond and whose self-imposed standards inspired those around him.

As a visionary leader, a devoted family man, and a pioneer in business, public service, and conservation, Herb left an indelible mark on Jasper and beyond. For Herb, true wealth was measured by the success of his family and the positive impact he had on others—a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.