Richard Keenan Erwin

RICHARD K. ERWIN, passed away Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Born April 29, 1927, in Fort Wayne, he was the oldest of four boys and a son of David and Ruth Erwin. A proud "South Sider" his entire life, he was an alumnus of Harrison Hill Elementary, South Side High School, and the engineering program at Purdue University. Dick served in the U.S. Navy during World World II and again from 1954 to 1956. Dick married Barbara Hyman in October of 1959 and together they had two children, Susan and Daniel.

After a brief stint with Motorola in Chicago, Dick returned to his hometown and, along with his brother Don, founded DH Erwin Sales. For the past 40 years, Dick was self- employed with Ricker Equipment. Dick was a lifelong member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church where he served for many years in liturgical ministries as an usher. Other affiliations included the local Kiwanis and a HAM radio operators club. Dick's grandmother built one of the first cottages on Lake George near Angola, and his summers there were some of the best of his life - especially those spent sailing his beloved Inland Cat. Dick loved life and people; he thoroughly enjoyed his annual Navy reunions and his almost daily "reunions" with all the other regulars at Don Halls Bluffton Road.

He is survived by his son, Dan of Fort Wayne; son-in-law, Bruce Gavin of Elizabethtown, Ky.; brother, John of Camarillo, Calif.; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara; daughter, Dr. Susan Gavin; and brothers, Don and Dave.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4500 Fairfield Ave, with visitation one hour prior to service. Visitation also from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Winchester Road Chapel, 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne (IN 46819). Preferred memorials may be made to any veterans organization or toward cancer research. www.klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com