Richard H. Kindsvatter

On April 1, 2017, Richard "Dick" Kindsvatter, 86, passed away at Woodlawn Compassionate Care Center in Canton, Ohio. Born November 29, 1930, Dick graduated from Steubenville High School in 1948 and worked at the Weirton Steel Company in order to pay his way through college. Dick served in the United States Air Force and spent four years stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After the war he attended the Ohio State University and became the first in his family to graduate from college, ultimately earning his undergraduate degree as well as a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. from OSU. From 1966 to 1996 he worked as a Professor at Kent State University in the Department of Education. Dick retired from teaching and in 1997 moved from Ohio to Seven Lakes, North Carolina, where he enjoyed his retirement for fourteen years, golfing, playing tennis and bridge, building new friendships, and sharing hospitality with his friends and family. In 2011 he returned to Ohio to be near to his children and grandchildren. Dick lived with prostate cancer for the last fourteen years of his life, and Parkinson's disease for eight years, but through all of these challenges he continued to play golf, tennis, and bridge for as long as he was physically able. Even after his prostate cancer metastasized to his bones, Dick remained constantly cheerful and optimistic, looking for the positive in all things and never complaining about the cards he had been dealt. Throughout his life Dick loved adventure, travel, and trying new things. He traveled extensively throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii and especially appreciated the Southwest where he spent time camping and hiking in the National Parks. He enjoyed cruises and international travel as well, reaching destinations such as Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Dick had a deep appreciation for nature, the outdoors, bird watching, good food, a good Manhattan, books, laughter, and dancing to classic songs from the 1940s and 50s. As much as Dick loved his career and his numerous pasttimes, Dick's greatest love was for his wife, best friend, and most treasured companion Sally, and his family. He is survived by his wife Sally (Borden), his children Aaron Kindsvatter (Linda), Claire Kindsvatter (Mary Schantz), Paul Bowman (Lorie), Bruce Bowman (Sue), Bonnie Bowman (Steve Eibel), and Julie Geiser (Bruce), nine grandchildren, and his sister Virginia (Fred) Butz. Dick's Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Church of the Lakes United Methodist Church at 5944 Fulton Dr., NW, in Canton, Ohio, with visitation with the family beginning at 4:30 p.m. A meal will follow the service. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Aultman Hospice, 2821 Woodlawn Ave., NW, Canton, Ohio 44708.