Michael Adrian Lanning

Michael Adrian Lanning, 72, of Noblesville, Indiana, died June 8, 2026. Lanning lived a full life involving emergency medicine and Indianapolis motorsports, held an insatiable curiosity for history, and was an unfailingly loyal colleague and friend.

Lanning was born December 23, 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona, to Dr. R. Adrian Lanning, M.D. and V. Ruth Duane Lanning, who both preceded him in death.

A 1972 graduate of Noblesville High School, Lanning’s lifelong career in emergency medical service began at DePauw University in 1973, even before there was a formal EMS structure in Indiana. That summer, Lanning participated in Indiana Gov. Otis “Doc” Bowen’s Statewide Conference on Emergency Medical Services. Before Bowen, a physician, became governor, ambulance drivers in the state were not medically trained and had no rescue equipment to use. A new EMS law advocated by Bowen required ambulance workers be trained to provide immediate medical treatment, and led to the creation of the Indiana EMS Commission.

That had an immediate effect on Lanning’s life. Upon graduation from DePauw, Lanning served as the Director of Emergency Medical Services for Warrick Hospital in Booneville, Indiana. Two years later, he served the Indiana EMS Commission as its planning director, where he wrote Indiana’s first comprehensive plan for Emergency Medical Services. He also served with various ambulance services, including Marion County/Wishard, AID, AMR and IU Health.

More than 35 years of Lanning’s career was spent in the emergency department of Community Hospital East in Indianapolis.

Medicine held his primary interest, but Lanning also loved history of the American West. He traveled yearly to Tombstone, Arizona for the Tombstone Territory Rendezvous Symposium. He immersed himself in the life of President Abraham Lincoln the history of the Civil War, and anything involving fascinating facts of Hoosier-dom. He was an avid reader and collector of historical publications and memorabilia.

Indianapolis Motorsports held a special place in Lanning’s life. He spent 44 years on the medical staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - including being assigned to former Vice President Dan Quayle’s personal detail. He moved in 2019 to Pagoda Command, the central operations and command center for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was there for the 110th running this year.

A longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, Lanning was an Eagle Scout, an assistant scoutmaster and the founding advisor of a Medical Explorer post in Warrick County. His photography was selected as the cover art for two books and the 1985 Indiana Official State Highway Map.

Other highlights of Lanning’s life he spoke of often included: twice “muling” down into the Grand Canyon; flying in the “Special Shapes” Rodeo at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; racing for three days at Laguna Seca Raceway (“Home of the Corkscrew”) in California, and traveling around the country with the late celebrated British singer Dame Cleo Laine and her husband Sir John Dankworth.

To those who knew “Mike,” he was a grammatical pedant who edited and proofed several books for friends prior to publication, and was known to gently correct one’s grammar in conversation. However, he would never turn away a well-placed pun.

Lanning often said he was “blessed” with many cousins and dear friends. They survive to remember him. “Special mention must be made to and thanks given to Dan McGuire, Greg Fisher and Celeste Williams, John Peleuses, Gary Barnett and especially to his Cousin Duane (Bob) Bishop who was more like a brother,” he wrote. “I hope Bo and Debbie know I love them,” he said.

Visitation begins at 10:00 am, with services at 1:00 pm, on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, in Noblesville.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Network or Riverview Health Foundation.

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com