Richard "Dick" H. Sulken

Born on July 9, 1938, in Oak Park, Illinois, he was the beloved son of the late Harry and Margaret Sulken.

Dick attended, and played on the basketball teams of, Austin High School and then the Illinois Institute of Technology. He then earned a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Purdue University. Dick began his career by working on military aircraft, such as the Boeing F4 Phantom fighter, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter, and the Lockheed C-5A Transport. In the 1970s, Dick founded his own home-building company in Cobb County Georgia, R.H. Sulken Co., which he successfully ran for over 30 years before retiring. He gave back to the industry that he enjoyed by serving as the President of the Cobb County Home Builders Association and serving as an expert witness for the Cobb County Building Inspection Department.

A man of many interests and talents, Dick was an accomplished sports car racer- winning races at locations like Virginia International Raceway. He flew small planes, raced small sailboats, snow skied, enjoyed photography, was a Georgia State ranked tennis player, and loved to play golf. In his later years, he learned to play the piano and discovered a passion for gourmet cooking, often gathering with friends and family who shared his love of fine food.

He was a dedicated member of Mount Bethel Church in Marietta, and he always looked forward to the Mount Bethel Monday Morning Men’s Breakfast Group, where he found fellowship and community. Dick felt proud and humbled when he was able to serve the community by joining a group from his church that went twice to Biloxi Mississippi to help rebuild homes that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. They worked hard for weeks and slept on the floor. Each gave up their comfortable lives to answer God's call.

Most important to Dick was family. He instinctively supported, protected, and cared for his family. He was a mentor by being honest, hardworking, and respectful. He left this family with wonderful memories of being together.

He was married to his beloved wife, Grace Sulken, for 56 years. The last thing that he asked for was a kiss from his “Gracie.”

A funeral service will be held on June 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son – Canton Hill Chapel, with visitation beginning one hour prior. A private burial will be held with the family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Grace Sulken; son, Kent (Terri) Lewis; daughter, Kathy (Tom) Kuruc; grandson, Chris Lewis; sister, Joan (Brian) Spencer, and extended family members and friends to cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Dick’s memory at stjude.org/donate.

The family is holding a luncheon for friends and family at Mrs. Grace Sulken's residence immediately following the service. Please reach out to the Sulken family for address information, if needed.