Richard Allen Mitchell

Mar. 28, 1935 – Mar. 16, 2016

Dick Mitchell, 80, of Sarasota, FL. (Pelican Cove), formerly from Buffalo, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at Tidewell Hospice on March 16, 2016 after a long and complicated illness. He was born in Muskegon Heights, MI to Steven and Mary (Kron) Mitchell on March 28, 1935, the youngest of four boys.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of almost 60 years, Betty (Petrick). In addition, he is survived by his loving children: daughters Sandra Kelly (Kim), Lisa Russell (Mark) and son, Brian (Amy), and 7 grandchildren: Shawna Kelly Anderson (Matt) and Brett Kelly; 2nd Lt. Michael Corbett, Mitchell Russell and Matthew Russell; Isabela Mitchell and Gracie Mitchell. Also, his oldest brother, Stephen Robert Mitchell, survives him.

After graduation from Muskegon Heights School in 1953, he volunteered for the draft during the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged, he attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and graduated with honors in January 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Geography (dual major). He enrolled in the Geography Ph.D. program at The University of Iowa following his undergraduate degree. The program was unique inasmuch as the emphasis was on urban and economic geography, based on models and statistical techniques. He completed the course requirements for his Ph.D. in just 3 years and received his degree in June 1964.

His first academic position was at Arizona State University in 1963 teaching statistics and quantitative methods in Geography. In 1966, the New York state university system was revamping itself and it was time to rebuild the Geography Department at the State University of New York at Buffalo to rival the best. The offer was too good to pass up even if it meant leaving hot Arizona for cold Western New York. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Geography Department and also as Chairman of Graduate Studies. Dick retired in 1997 after teaching quantitative methods, geographic statistics, and advanced geographic statistics before he developed his own unique course – the very popular “Geography of Buffalo.”

The Mitchells were snowbirds from 1999 until 2004 when they moved from their home in the Town of Tonawanda of 38 years to Sarasota. In 2005, Dick suffered a massive stroke, leaving him with Aphasia. However, he was still able to golf and enjoy the many friends made through support groups for Aphasia, therapy programs, social gatherings, cruises and trips.

Dick loved golf from a young age and continued to golf until he was 80. In Buffalo, he was a member of the Brighton Men’s Club, winning several club champions, which included his “Hole in One” trophy in 1996. In Sarasota, he belonged to the men’s club at Sunrise, Forest Lakes and Tatum Golf Clubs where his winning scores were regularly posted in the Herald Tribune Newspaper.

He was also an avid antique collector of Buffalo and Larkin Soap Company memorabilia. In his younger days, Dick loved to fish for Lake Michigan perch. He also loved country music “before it was cool.” He was very competitive at bridge, loved playing euchre and cad with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed playing craps wherever there was a casino.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held April 2, 2016 at Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home, 7454 S. Tamiami Trail at 4:00 PM, followed by a reception. Inurnment will be at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

The family is especially thankful and appreciative for the wonderful care given during his recovery from emergency surgery by Valarie and William at SMH Baycare, and Norah, Mary Lynn and Cindy with the Tidewell Hospice Team.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Suncoast Aphasia Support Group, Account No. 2563129853, at any Wells Fargo Bank or to Voices of Hope for Aphasia at www.vohaphsia.org/donate. Please mark your donation, “in memory of Dick Mitchell.”