Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard H. Frick

Nov. 15, 1928 - June 17, 2008

South Bend Tribune 6/20/2008
MISHAWAKA - Richard "Dick" H. Frick, 79, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday afternoon, June 17, 2008, at home. Dick was born November 15, 1928, in Mishawaka, son of the late Raymond B. and Mary L. (DeBaets) Frick. He grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1948.

On June 26, 1948, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, he married Lavonne M. Whisman and the couple made Mishawaka their home. Dick served his country in the US Army. He was employed for 31 years at Bendix Corporation; working for both the Brake and Missile Divisions. Following retirement, Dick worked in the family business, HARMAR, Inc., in Elkhart. For 52 years, he was a volunteer firefighter with Penn Township (South) Fire Department and the Frick's hosted gatherings at their home for the firefighters. For 23 years, Dick and Lavonne enjoyed wintering at the Holiday Travel Park in Leesburg, Florida. Dick was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Mishawaka Alumni Association. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion #161. Dick enjoyed caring for his large yard and garden. He is remembered for being a hard worker with a great smile and will be missed by his loving family and many friends. Dick's surviving family includes his wife of nearly 60 years, Lavonne; three children, Sandra L. (David) Gray of Carmel, Randy A. (Arleen) Frick of Mishawaka, and Rodney L. (Patty) Frick of Osceola; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Bryant, Bryan Waling, Stephanie McDowell, Michael Gray, Stephanie Frick, Kimberly Frick, Jillian Brown and Jonathan Frick; and eight great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by an infant son, Tommy Lane Frick.

Private family services will be held. Memorials may be given to the family to be used for a memorial bench at Military Honor Park at South Bend Regional Airport. Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka, is serving the Frick family.