Richard C. Young

Richard C. Young

Richard "Dick" Chapman Young passed away suddenly on the morning of August 21, 2018.

He was born on September 27, 1931, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to James Chapman and Helen Virginia (Hanger) Young. Growing up, his family lived in many locations but settled in Akron in 1943. Dick graduated from North High school, and then joined the Marine Corps where he served with pride from 1951 to 1954. He served with the 5th Marines in Korea at the "outposts" during the war and with the VMFN-513 squadron at K-2 airbase after the war ended. He then attended the University of Akron on the GI Bill, graduating in 1957. It was there that he met the love of his life, Sophie, who has been his devoted and loving partner of 61 years of marriage. He proudly boasted to all who would listen of his pride and joy in his family, including two daughters and sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren and two grandchildren-in law. He valued his family and friends above all and felt blessed to be with them throughout his life.

Dick worked in Akron at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for over 35 years, retiring in 1992 as Director of Sales Engineering for Firestone USA. He was an active and engaged member of Bath United Church of Christ since 1973 and volunteered for many years on various church boards and committees. In 1983, he qualified and ran the Boston Marathon at the age of 52. After retirement, he joined Fairlawn Country Club, where he enjoyed many years of playing golf with dear friends. He was a proud and avid fan of all Cleveland sports. And, Dick was a friend of Bill W. and valued the many friends he was blessed to know throughout his life.

Dick led a life of humility, honesty, and integrity. To the very end, his mantra was "Semper Fi." He leaves his cherished family, wife, Elizabeth Sophia (Papatonis); daughters, Elisabeth (Thomas Boniface) Young of Youngstown, Christine (Alex) Freytag of Columbus; and grandchildren, Thomas (Sarah Wickman), Nicholas (Julianne Matthews), Joseph, Elisabeth, Alec, Sophia, and Ethan.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. MONDAY at the Bath Church, United Church of Christ, 3980 West Bath Rd., Rev. Daniel J. Doty officiating. Private inurnment with military rites at Moore's Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call 1 to 4 p.m. SUNDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boniface/Richard and Elizabeth Young Scholarship Endowment, c/o NEOMED Foundation, 4209 St. Rt. 44, Rootstown, OH 44272, https://www.neomed.edu/give/bluefund/, Lindsey Loftus (330)325-6674. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)