LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wendell Swartz, founder of Pizza King and creator of an Indiana tradition, died on Jan. 24 “after a long and colorful life of nearly 99 years,” according to his obituary.
Born on May 26,1925, Swartz was a World War II veteran, trained as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber in the Central Europe theater, flying more than 30 missions, his obituary described. He was honorably discharged in October 1945, receiving 4 Bronze Stars.
Before founding the Indiana legacy to be known as “Pizza King,” Swartz earned a degree from Purdue University in 1952 and was a soloist for the Purdue Glee Club, according to his obituary. His love for music led Swartz to forming his own traveling dance band, singing on daytime TV, his obituary said, with a winning appearance on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts.
Upon returning to the Lafayette area, Swartz and his wife, Barbara, opened the first Pizza King restaurant in 1956 on South Street near the Mar Jean Village, which no longer stands. The success of Swartz’s first store led to the founding of Pizza King of Indiana, Inc., with the family’s second store opening in Muncie just sixth months later.