The Fort Wayne community is reflecting on the death of Eddie Ribel, better known to many residents as “Street Chef,” the outspoken local figure whose brightly painted white school bus food truck became a familiar sight throughout the city. Ribel’s passing over the weekend has prompted conversations about a life defined by creativity, activism, and an unmistakable presence.
According to Fort Wayne Police, officers responded Sunday morning to a request for a welfare check after a friend reported being unable to reach Ribel by phone or text the previous day. Ribel was found inside his food truck and was pronounced deceased at the scene. His sister, Jean Graber, indicated that he may have suffered a heart attack, though officials say the cause of death has not yet been formally confirmed.
Ribel, 55, was a graduate of Fort Wayne Snider High School and was widely known for more than his food business. He was an outspoken advocate on local issues and a frequent participant in city council meetings, where he often challenged leaders and sparked spirited debate. In 2023, he launched an unlikely run for mayor, driven largely by his concern for homelessness and social inequality in Fort Wayne.
Those who knew Ribel describe him as unapologetically independent, passionate about his beliefs, and unafraid to speak his mind. His bus, his voice, and his convictions made him a local fixture—one that few overlooked and many remembered.
While funeral arrangements will not be publicly announced, those close to Ribel say his obituary will reflect a life lived boldly and on his own terms. Eddie Ribel’s death marks the loss of a true Fort Wayne original whose impact extended well beyond the streets he served.