Walden Emerson Richard

Walden Emerson Richard, 99, passed away May 11, 2014, at his residence in Naples, FL. Walden was born in Gibsonburg, OH on March 15, 1915, to Jacob and Mable (Hille) Richard. He was a 1932 graduate of Gibsonburg High, earned his undergraduate degree from Berea College (KY) and completed graduate studies at The University of Michigan. Walden taught math and music for several years and then spent more than 35 years as a production engineer in Toledo, OH for Owens Corning before retiring in 1978. Walden married Jean Moore (Fremont, OH) with whom he would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in January 2015. Beyond his career, Walden had many personal interests - farming, home construction, instrumental and vocal music, church and community service (long-time member and Choir Director at Zion Lutheran, Gibsonburg, President of Gibsonburg's School Board, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer), golf - as a Catawba Island Club member and later as a Naples, FL resident (including three holes-in-one!), hunting, and Lake Erie boating, water skiing, walleye and perch fishing. His priority, however, beyond most importantly serving his Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ, was caring for and about family and friends who will now dearly miss his presence in their lives. Walden was most recently a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Catawba Island, OH and an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL. Surviving are his wife, Jean Richard; children, son David (wife Sue) Richard - Sanibel Island, FL, and daughters Diane (husband Richard) DeSantis - Naples, FL, and Gayle (husband Tim) Rink, Catawba Island, OH; sisters, Wilma Hoy - Port Orange, FL and Lucille Rowland (husband Lucian) Rowland - Daytona Beach Shores, FL; 8 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Walden was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Willis Richard and Don Richard. Visitation will be held at Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg, on Monday, May 19th with visitation from 9-11 A.M. and funeral service at 11:00 A.M., followed by the procession to the West Union Cemetery, Gibsonburg, for the burial and graveside committal service officiated by the Reverend Dr. Kurt Borows. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Vitas Hospice, Naples, FL, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Port Clinton, OH, or Habitat for Humanity. To send online condolences, please visit www.hermankinn.com.