Richard "Dick" Fankhauser

Richard (Dick) Allen Fankhauser, 78, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, peacefully at his home. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, with the funeral service immediately following at 3 p.m. in the Chapel. Rev. Michael P. Althauser will officiate, and military rites will be conducted. A private family interment will follow on Monday in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Dick was born in Akron, Ohio, on November 18, 1947, to Joan Moore and Paul Allen Fankhauser, the oldest of three children. He was very protective of his younger sisters and took his role as “big brother” very seriously. Growing up in Uniontown, he was very athletic and a natural leader on any sports field. He graduated from Lake Township High School in 1965, then matriculated to Kent State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. His love for baseball continued as he played at the collegiate level until injury, and Dick was drafted into the Army right before graduation.

He married the love of his life, Kathleen Marie Hiles, on July 3, 1970, before proudly serving his country in Vietnam, achieving the rank of Specialist 4 and earning the Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he regained employment with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, a career he had started before college graduation. Dick and Kathy called Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, home until later transferring with Bridgestone/Firestone to Nashville, Tennessee, where their three children were born and raised.

Mr. Fankhauser was a Mason, a supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, a lifelong sports enthusiast, an outdoorsman and fisherman, and an incredibly loyal husband, father, grandfather, protector, and provider. He was a very active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Nashville, and later at Providence Church in Mt. Juliet.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathy of Mt. Juliet, TN; children, Jonathan Allen Fankhauser (Irene) of Lewisburg, TN, Russell Clay Fankhauser (Melissa) of Nashville, TN, and Allison Gail Fisher (Brian) of Spring Hill, TN; grandchildren, Joey Fankhauser (Brooke), Becca Loome (Eric), Ada Fisher, Anderson Fisher, and Owen Fankhauser; and great-grandchild, Levi Fankhauser. He also leaves his sisters, Nancy Geier (George) and Debbie Fritz (Rick).

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Fankhauser, Russell Fankhauser, Brian Fisher, Joey Fankhauser, Anderson Fisher, and Owen Fankhauser.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice and Dick’s care team for their loving care and support.

Memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, Project Healing Waters, or a charity of choice.