Richard W. Sebastian

Richard (Dick) Winn Sebastian (84) passed away on January 26, 2025 in Pensacola, Florida. Born in Kansas City, MO on May 17, 1940, Dick was raised in North Platte, NE, where he was active in athletics in high school. He was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and track) at Hastings College and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Math. He then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for two years and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard A. and Frances L. Sebastian and loving wife, Yvonne (deceased October 2020). He is survived by his three children, Laurie (David) Kreuser of Pensacola, FL and their children, Thomas, Kelly (Steven), Mathew (Olivia), Peter (Savanna), Andrew, James (Jess), and John (Emily); daughter, Nancy (Max) Hall of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and their children, Hannah (Regi) and Hudson; and son, Stephen (Nancy) Sebastian of Southern Pines, NC, and their children, Wesley, Sarah Grace, and John. He is survived by seven great grandchildren. Dick is also survived by his sister, Linda (Rick) of Grand Island, NE and brother, Bill of North Platte, NE and many nieces and nephews. 

Dick and his wife Yvonne moved from Lincoln, NE to Cuyahoga Falls, OH in 1964 where Dick worked as a Research Engineer for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in nearby Akron for several years. He was associated with Pappas Reality Company where he was involved with property management, as well as leasing and sales of commercial real estate. He subsequently was associated with Karl Rohrer and Associates, an engineering and architectural consulting firm, and vice president of Metrix, Inc.

He retired as Territory Manager for Akron Welding/Praxair Inc. after twenty years of service. Dick then spent 12 years on the teaching/support staff at Cuyahoga Falls High School. In this position, he also led “Project Love", which is a student character-building program. 

Dick served as President of FOCUS (Future of Children is Up to Schools), a program organized to prevent adolescent drug abuse, and also as Chairman of two successful school levy campaigns. As a longtime member of Holy Trinity Church in Akron (50+ years), he served many terms on the church counsel and taught adult Sunday School. 

His other community involvement includes the Lion’s Club, Parks & Recreation Board President, and Instrumental Music Patrons President. For their many years of dedicated community service, the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce recognized Dick, along with his wife Yvonne, as ‘Citizens of the Year’. 

Dick has spent the last four years enjoying the Florida weather, living with his daughter in Pensacola, after his wife’s passing in 2020. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 50 North Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for both Dick and Yvonne at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron later this spring and will be announced at a later date. 

Services in care of  Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Rd. Akron, OH 44333.