Richard Eugene Wharton

on Saturday, April 18, 2020. He was born December 24,1930 to Elizabeth and

Schuyler Wharton in Coshocton, Ohio, a place that always remained dear to his

heart.

He was an avid sports fan, playing HS basketball and baseball and serving as

manager of the HS football team coached by his father. In 1948 he became a

member of the Ohio State Basketball team. He remained a loyal Buckeye fan

throughout his life and never gave up on his beloved Cleveland Indians,

delighting in the recent winning seasons.

Dick was widely known for his wonderful stories shared from significant times of

his life, including growing up in Coshocton, his years playing basketball for the

Buckeyes and living in the Stadium dorm with many veterans returning from the

war. He graduated in 1952 and married Nancy Rice, also of Coshocton. He

enlisted in the US Air Force serving in California, Germany, and Mississippi. He

recently travelled with pride to Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight

program.

Dick's career was spent at The Ohio State University becoming an

Administrative/Associate Dean in the College of Engineering. In 1991 Dick met

and later married Dorothy "Dottie" Warne. They enjoyed traveling, spending time

with grandchildren and simply being together. Dottie died of Alzheimer's disease

in January. Dick is remembered by all as being a most compassionate and

devoted spouse to the very end.

Dick's faith and the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church were integral parts of his

life. He loved telling of his days of volunteering with the children ministries. But

his story would not be complete without mentioning his love of gardening --

"Addicted to pulling weeds," he would chuckle. As recently as last summer he

was often seen in front of the Forum at Knightsbridge pulling what little crabgrass

he could find there. He spent many happy hours with friends and family working

in garden beds and enjoying the beauty of nurture and nature.

He leaves his daughter Beth Bullard (Todd) of Charlottesville VA, daughter Molly

Clark of Columbus, formerly of Rockport MA, and nine grandchildren: Ben, Clara, Nate, Michael, Lamont, Shana, and Kiara Bullard of Charlottesville, Joanna

McDonough (Chris) of Rockport MA, and Gil Clark of Denver CO. Also leaves

devoted stepdaughters Jane White (Jim) and Joyce Holland, granddaughters

Kylie White and Corinne Holland, sister Cathy Brady (Mike) and nephews Patrick

Brady (Katie) and Ben Brady (Megan) and families, sister-in-law Alice Laitner,

and his "extra" daughters Amy Edwards and Holly Edwards Kreber. He was

preceded in death by his wife Dottie, sister Joanne Wharton Murphy and

husband Earl F. Murphy, and grandson Mitchell Holland.

Memorial Service will be held at 3 PM on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church-Lytham Road Campus, 2300 Lytham Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215, where a reception will follow. Memorial contributions may be

made to the Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43215 or to Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43220.