Hal E. Kovert, founder of Kovert Hawkins Architects in Jeffersonville and a longtime contributor to the civic and philanthropic life of Southern Indiana and Kentucky, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at the age of 73. He was a native of Crothersville.
Kovert co-founded Kovert Hawkins Architects with longtime business partner and friend John Hawkins in 1985. Over nearly four decades, Kovert Hawkins Architects designed projects across a broad range of sectors, including K-12 education, government, healthcare, historic renovation, and commercial development. Notable projects Kovert contributed to include the Jeffersonville Public Library, Southern Indiana Visitors Center, numerous educational facilities, including Brownstown, Medora and Crothersville schools and, most recently, the renovated Milan High School gymnasium lobby, which honors its 1954 Indiana High School Basketball State Championship and inspired the movie “Hoosiers.”
The firm earned recognition for its design excellence and community commitment, and “Louisville Business First” twice named it one of the “Top 10 Most Generous Small Companies.” In 2021, Kovert Hawkins Architects merged with Michigan-based TowerPinkster. Kovert retired from full-time work in 2025 but continued consulting and working part-time until his passing.
Kovert’s impact extended well beyond architecture. Throughout his career, he served on numerous professional, civic, and nonprofit boards and committees, sharing his expertise and leadership to strengthen the communities in which he lived and worked. His commitment to philanthropy, education, and community development remains evident in the organizations and initiatives he supported.
He was born in Crothersville Nov. 4, 1952 to the late Paul Henry and Berna Lee (Crawford) Kovert.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Glenda (Trisler) Kovert; two daughters, Kara (Greg) Pray and Krista (Jeff) Thompson; a brother, Rex Kovert of Crothersville; four grandchildren, Eleanor Pray, Dylan Thompson, Luke Thompson, and Lyla Thompson; and his special friend, Don Neal of Brownstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Kovert-Hawkins Scholarship Fund at Ball State University or Molo Village CDC in Louisville, Kentucky.
A public memorial service will be held at noon this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Scott Funeral Home, 2515 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow at Elk Run Golf Club, 1820 Charlestown Pike, Jeffersonville.