Richard Wellman

Born on January 28, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, Dick was the beloved husband of Aurelia “Cookie” Wellman, loving father of Denise Schneider (Geoff) and John Wellman (Megan), proud grandfather of Nicholas and Nathan, brother of Joan Clawson, and uncle to many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Marie Wellman.

Dick graduated from Lincoln High School in Cleveland in June 1956. After graduation, he moved to Inglewood, California, where he attended Northrop Institute of Technology and earned his degree through its A & E Master Airplane and Engineer Mechanic program. In August 1961, Dick was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as an aircraft mechanic in Korea until July 1963.

In 1963, Dick began his professional career in aircraft maintenance with a variety of companies including Standard Oil, which later became BP America. Through years of hard work and dedication, he advanced within the company and ultimately retired as manager of BP America’s corporate aviation department in 1998. Retirement, however, never meant giving up the work he loved. Dick continued to devote his time to fixing, building, and racing cars, a passion that had been part of his life for decades.

While living in California, Dick built a blue satin Kaiser Henry J automobile, which he proudly brought all the way back to Cleveland. He later teamed up with a fellow mechanic to build a 1948 Anglia B/Gasser, which he raced at Dragway 42. In June 1966, Dick achieved an impressive milestone, becoming a national record holder in the NASCAR Drag Racing Division with a time of 11.35 seconds. His love of racing continued throughout his life, from working on race cars to participating in land-speed racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Whether building a car from the ground up, working on a race car, or pursuing the next automotive adventure, Dick found lasting joy in the challenge and craftsmanship of making things run.

Dick’s greatest adventure, however, began at a polka dance at the Golden Mule, where he met Aurelia, affectionately known as Cookie. He bravely asked her to dance, beginning a love story that would span nearly six decades. After dating for nearly two years, they married on May 17, 1969. In keeping with Cookie’s Catholic faith, Dick waited until after Good Friday was over and proposed at 12:01 a.m.—a memorable beginning to their life together. They celebrated with a honeymoon in Hawaii before settling into their home in North Olmsted, where they built a life together and raised their children, Denise and John. Dick and Cookie’s home became the heart of countless family gatherings, celebrations, music, and dancing. Their family grew to include two beloved grandsons, Nicholas and Nathan, with whom Dick delighted in spending time. He took great pride in his family and cherished the memories they created together.

Dick’s kind and gentle nature was evident in the countless ways he cared for others. Whether helping someone move, setting up tents for a family party, repairing a house, fixing a car, or tackling just about any project that needed attention, Dick was always ready to lend a hand. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate what someone needed before they even asked. If something needed to be done, Dick was already on his feet, ready to take care of it. His generosity was never about recognition; helping others was simply who he was.

Family adventures were another treasured part of Dick’s life. He enjoyed camping trips throughout the country with his family and neighbors, beginning with a tent and eventually graduating to a camper. He loved being outdoors and sharing activities with his children and grandchildren, including water skiing, riding bikes, and playing sports. Dick was happiest when he was active, surrounded by family, and finding ways to make himself useful to those he loved.

Dick will be remembered for his quiet kindness, gentle spirit, reliability, mechanical ingenuity, love of racing, and unwavering willingness to help others. He had a special way of making life easier for the people around him, often through simple, thoughtful acts that spoke louder than words. Above all, he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend whose love was reflected in a lifetime of caring actions. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the memories he helped create, and the many lives he touched.

Visitation for Dick will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Corrigan-Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126. Following the service, Dick will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care for their kindness, compassion, and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Casmir’s Church or Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care in Dick’s honor.