Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard M. Rembold Sr

May 31, 1921 - July 7, 2008

South Bend Tribune 7/10/2008
SOUTH BEND - Richard M. "Dick" Rembold Sr., 87, of South Bend, IN, passed away after battling an extended illness at 5:04 p.m. on July 7, 2008, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. He was born May 31, 1921, in Owensboro, Kentucky, to J. Frank and Bertha (Weikel) Rembold. He is survived by his two daughters, Carole A. (Jesse) Chmiel and Kim P. Mozick, both of South Bend; two sons, Richard M. Jr. of Mishawaka and Mark S. of New Carlisle; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Mariam "Dottie" Schnapf, and a brother, Wilber K. Rembold, both of Evansville, IN; a sister-in-law, Elmabeth Evans of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Marcheta Jane (Hemenway); his parents; two sisters, Edith (Ray) Warren and Ann (Fred) Lebonsorger; three brothers, Herbert M. Rembold, Roy C. (Louise) Rembold and John F. (Helen) Rembold; and by two great-grandchildren. Dick's family moved to Evansville, IN, in the early 1930s where he attended Evansville Memorial High School. He later moved to Watertown, WI, to attend Sacred Heart Postulate which was known as the Juniorate for boys aspiring to become Holy Cross Brothers. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army in the North African and European Theatres of Operation. After WWII he attended Indiana State University where he met his wife of 58 years. They were married on June 12, 1947. Upon receiving his master's degree in special education, he went on to a lifetime of service dedicated to the betterment of the physically and developmentally disabled. Dick served as the executive director of the Southeastern Indiana Rehabilitation Center in Clarksville, Northern Indiana Council for the Retarded, Elkhart Rehabilitation Center, Logan Center and Corvilla, Inc. Over the years he served on numerous committees and boards of directors including: President, Floyd County (Indiana) Council for the Retarded; President, Floyd County Mental Health Association; Board of Directors, Indiana Rehabilitation Association; Member, Special Education Advisory Committee, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana; and Chairman, Regional Mental Retardation / Developmental Disabilities Planning Committee, North Central Indiana. He was also a speech pathologist, school teacher, college instructor and substance abuse counselor. Considered by many to be a pioneer in his field, Dick contributed to the establishment of and reforms in the methodologies used in the diagnoses, treatment, care and overall advancement of the disabled. Noteworthy among these were his contributions to reforms in IQ testing and his work in the implementation of a newborn litmus test for phenylketonuria, thus helping to prevent one cause of mental retardation. And, at a time when the developmentally disabled were often simply institutionalized, he sought ways they could live meaningful lives as productive members of the community. He was committed to the belief that all people deserve to live lives of dignity. Dick remained a passionate Notre Dame football fan even while wintering in Arizona with his wife. He was a longtime member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was an avid Civil War buff, thoroughly enjoyed long discussions on history, politics and religion, and was known for his quick wit. He took great pleasure in his large family and many friends. He will be deeply missed by all.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, with a Rosary at 3:00 p.m. in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 920 Wilber Street, South Bend, on Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corvilla, Inc., 3231 Sugar Maple Business Court, South Bend, IN 46628; or to Logan Center, 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615.