Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard Philip Hummel

April 14, 1923 - March 10, 2008

South Bend Tribune 3/13/2008
BREMEN - Richard Philip Hummel, 84, died in Erlanger Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, on March 10, 2008, with his son and daughter by his side. Richard was born in a farmhouse in Madison Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, on April 14, 1923, to Christian and Anna Maria Hummel. He was the last of six brothers who counted the 40 acre farm as their home during their childhood. Richard was graduated from Madison Township High School. He attended Purdue University, College of Engineering, but was interrupted after six semesters to join the war effort in 1944. He attended Officers Candidate School at Ft. Knox and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. on September 23, 1944.

The next day he was married to Elaine Esther Luke. After a nine-month stay at Ft. Knox, Richard was sent to the Philippines Islands. Their first son, David Richard, was born while there. In late 1946 Richard was separated from the military as a 1st lieutenant. He resumed his engineering studies at Purdue and was graduated with honors in May 1948. He and his family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he joined the Republic Exploration Company. In 1949 their second son, Steven Michael, was born. Steven passed away in 2006. In May 1954 Richard joined Dowell as a designer of oil field service facilities. In 1955 his first daughter, Rebecca Elaine, was born. By 1960 he was assistant chief engineer in the engineering department. He worked on missile site design with the Army Corps of Engineers in Altus, Oklahoma, for about one year before returning to Tulsa to work with the Frank Wheatly Pump and Valve Company. In 1961 his fourth child, Martha Ann, was born. In 1962 he returned to Dowell. In May 1981 Richard retired from Dowell to form his own company, "Consulting, Engineering and Leasing." In December 1985, Richard's wife of 41 years passed away.

Shortly thereafter, Richard returned to Madison Township and spent the next 20 years in retirement there. In 2005 he relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to live with is daughter, Martha. Richard was a man of deep faith, being a devout Lutheran (Missouri Synod) for his entire adult life. He studied his religion on a regular basis and was extraordinarily knowledgeable for a lay person. He was active in all aspects of his church life. He was both a member of the architectural review committee and president of the Stewardship Committee in the Oklahoma District. He taught adult Bible classes, ushered, lit candles, cleaned the church, mowed the yards and held virtually every office available in his local churches. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church (Tulsa, OK), St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (Woodland, IN), and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church (Chattanooga, TN). The Reverends Harold Klawitter, Karl Brenner and Barry Hildebrandt were all very influential in Richard's life. We are thankful for their presence. We are also comforted that Richard has met his Wonderful Maker after a long and blessed life.

Richard is survived by his three children mentioned above, as well as his daughter-in-law, Susan Hale Hummel; and nine grandchildren, Amy Marie Loe, Jenny Rebecca Kohl, Adam Christian Hummel, Jacob Andrew Hummel, Sara Elaine Curtis, Melissa Erin Johnson, Jessica Rae Johnson, Benjamin Gregory Fishburn and Madolyn Esther Fishburn. He has eight great-grandchildren, all of whom are living, Emily Grace Loe, Ethan McCain Loe, Sophia Elaine Loe, Madeleine Olivia Kohl, Emma Rousseau Kohl, Phoebe Athene Kohl, Morgan Rose Curtis, and Luke Richard Curtis.

Memorial services are being scheduled for May in St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Woodland), Mishawaka, Indiana, where he will be laid to rest in peace forever with his dear Lord and Savior. Mishler Funeral Home is handling arrangements.