Eskenazi School mourns passing of Sidney Eskenazi

Together with the entire Indiana University family, the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design mourns the passing of Sidney Eskenazi on January 31, 2026. The IU alumnus was a real estate developer and philanthropist who, with his late wife Lois, endowed both IU's Eskenazi Museum of Art  and the Eskenazi School. 

“Taking some consolation in knowing he has rejoined his beloved Lois, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Sid Eskenazi,” said Eskenazi School Founding Dean Peg Faimon. “Their generosity has been transformative: three years after we became a school, the Eskenazi gift activated the consolidation of our components into an interdisciplinary powerhouse that is much more than the sum of its parts.

“Our benefactors were personally invested in the success of our school and our students. Reflecting Lois' love of art, they endowed a scholarship for incoming students and spent time getting to know them. Ever the developer, Sid poured his own passion for our school into the realization of the Mies van der Rohe Building, IU’s own jewel of mid-century modern architecture that serves as our gleaming hub.

"As much as we will miss Sid and Lois, their legacy will endure in every contribution to the greater good made through the channels of art, architecture, design, and merchandising by Eskenazi School alumni.”

Read about Lois Eskenazi   

Indiana University President Pamela Whitten issued the following statement following the passing of Sidney Eskenazi:

“Indiana University mourns the passing of Sidney Eskenazi, a visionary philanthropist whose lifelong commitment to education, the arts and the public good helped shape Indiana University and the state it serves.

“Together, Sidney and Lois transformed Indiana University and enriched countless lives across our campuses and beyond. As the Eskenazi family grieves the loss of two beloved family members in such a short time, we extend our deepest sympathy and stand with them in honoring not only remarkable leaders and benefactors, but two people whose generosity and spirit touched so many. Their legacy will continue to shape Indiana University and our state for generations to come.”

Multiple news outlets have reported Eskenazi's passing, including the Indy Star, which published the following obituary February 2, 2026:

"Sidney David Eskenazi, 95, of Indianapolis, Indiana and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida died peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 31, 2026, joining his beloved wife of over 70 years, Lois Eskenazi, who passed away earlier in the month.

"A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Sid was born on March 25, 1930, to David and Sara Eskenazi, growing up on the south side. Sid was a graduate of Shortridge High School, Indiana University and its Law School.

"Sid and Lois had three children, Sandra, Dori and David, whom they raised in Indianapolis. Sid lost his own father suddenly, when he was just 13 years old. With a mother who did not speak English and two younger sisters, Sid immediately went to work after school to help the family make ends meet. This formative experience shaped the rest of his life in all aspects.

"Putting his law shingle out in Indianapolis after graduating from IU Law, Sid soon met Mel Simon, and over the next decade, the two of them hustled and scraped their way into building multiple K-Mart shopping centers throughout Indiana and Michigan, as well as developing other projects along the way. Sid often reflected on these years as the best of his professional life, where he and Mel had very little money, and they succeeded through hard work, their wits and a lot of luck.

"Sid continued developing shopping centers throughout his career, founding Sandor Development Company in 1962. Joined by his son David and nephew Jay Stein in the early 90’s, they grew Sandor into a real estate company owning properties across 26 states. He was fiercely competitive in business and loved to make deals, likening the work to “playing adult Monopoly.” Many businesspeople credit Sid as a mentor in their own professional careers. He was also a shrewd investor, with a simple model of living below one’s means and constantly putting money to work.

"He was convinced that retirement was what killed people, and he worked until his final days, showing up in the Indianapolis office almost every day when in town, and working from his home office when in Florida.

"Above all, he cherished his wife and family. No matter how busy he was, Sid made sure he was at home for dinner every night. He had a private phone line at his office, just for Lois and his kids, dropping everything to speak with them.

"Sid and Lois found joy in their philanthropy, with a special fondness for Indiana University, where the two met and fell in love. Until the very end, the couple enjoyed walking the campus with family and friends, pointing out significant places in their romance and reminiscing.

"Sid credits IU for his success and the fact that they gave him a chance, even though he described himself as a below average student. With that in mind, Sid had a scholarship program for law students, specifically designated for “C” students because A and B students won all the awards. He continued this for over fifty years.

"Lifetime art lovers and collectors, Sid and Lois endowed both the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, and the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, both in Bloomington. He was especially proud of the latter’s centerpiece, a Mies van der Rohe building constructed from the original plans of a never completed project originally designed for the Pi Lamba Phi fraternity of which Sid was a member while at school.

Read about the Mies van der Rohe Building

"Remembering his roots growing up poor on the south side, and wanting to give something significant to the city of Indianapolis, Sid and Lois gave the lead gift to ensure the construction of a new public hospital and health system, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health. The couple was grateful for their legacy being able to help so many people in the community.

"Sidney is survived by their three children Sandra Eskenazi, Dori Meyers (David), and David Eskenazi (Julie), as well as grandchildren Sara Meyers, Zoie Meyers, Samantha Meyers, Ethan Meyers, Mae Eskenazi, Sophie Eskenazi, and Ella Eskenazi. He also leaves behind his sister Daisy Stein and many nieces and nephews: Jay Stein, Susan Stein, David Rosinus, Steven Rosinus, Michael Rosinus, Mindy (Crandus) Sircus, Larry Crandus, Esther (Cohen) Harris, Joellyn (Cohen) Stoliar, and Sanford Cohen. In addition to his wife Lois, Sid was also predeceased by his parents Sara and David Isaac Eskenazi, uncle Naphtali Eskenazi and sister Bella Rosinus.

"A funeral is planned for 11:00 AM Thursday, February 5th, at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN with burial following at Etz Chaim Cemetery. You may watch the livestream of his service at https://ihcindy.org/streaming/.

"Donations may be made in his honor to the Eskenazi Health Foundation, www.eskenazihealthfoundation.org/donate; the Herron School of Art and Design, Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Art Scholarship (checks can be made payable to: IU Foundation/ Herron; mail to IU Foundation, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206); or to the charity of your choice."

For more information please contact

Yaël Ksander
Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
(812) 855-5512
yksander@iu.edu