Dick was born February 2, 1947 to Richard Shenfeld Sr. and Norma (Rogers) Shenfeld. Dick graduated from New Haven High School in 1965 and Harding University in 1969 before earning his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from IPFW. He spent his first five years teaching at Huntertown Junior High. He then taught Health, Physical Education, Driver’s Ed and coached at Homestead High School for 35 years. Dick retired in 2010 as the HPE Department Head and Head Boy’s Cross Country and Track and Field Coach. He wore many hats at Homestead often announcing Football and Basketball games.
As a Middle-Distance runner Dick was a member of the New Haven High School Hall of Fame and a 2008 inductee into the Indiana Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame. Throughout Dick’s life he had a passion for Indiana Track and Cross Country and for decades enjoyed competing in local road races and track events. He instilled this passion and his work ethic in his team’s athletes and this passion and encouragement for others extended well beyond his own team’s athletes. Throughout his career and life, he touched many lives through his students, his athletes, fellow coaches, parents, colleagues and friends. As a result, he was loved and admired by many. Following retirement Dick continued his involvement in the sport as a Track and Field Official starting numerous Cross Country and Track Meets. Despite his commitment to his profession, the loves of his life were his wife Diane and his daughter Jala who not only encouraged his passion, but also fulfilled his life. Dick was an avid golfer and although competitive in most things, for him this was always about the camaraderie that he shared with friends on the golf course. His other love was fishing.
Dick is survived by his wife Diane of Fort Wayne, his daughter Jala McLaughlin (Floyd Zink) of Fort Wayne, his Mother Norma of Fort Wayne and brothers, Bob (Laurie) Shenfeld of Fort Wayne, Roger Shenfeld of Boise, ID and sister Pam (Todd) Short of Phoenix, AZ., as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Father, Richard Shenfeld Sr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Dick Shenfeld Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Homestead High School Athletic Boosters, 4310 Homestead Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804 or to Allen County Cancer Services.
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