Dr. Richard Lee Fox, 86, of Springfield, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Thursday March 27, 2014 at his residence. He was born on April 27, 1927 in Peru, Indiana to Nelson and Ruth Carr Fox. He married Vernice Ellen Winters in Peru, Indiana on May 4, 1950 and they celebrated sixty three years together.
Dr. Fox is survived by his wife Vernice, five daughters: Karyn Diane (Ray) Morton of Jacksonville, FL., Linda Coleen (David) Leonard of Springfield, Valerie Anne (Tom) Sorensen of Fort Mill, S.C., Ellyn Marie Fox of Springfield, and Lisa Annette Fox of Palos Heights, IL., one son Mark Neil (Elainea) Fox of Virden, twenty grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother James Charles Fox, and his grandson Brandon Fox.
Richard was a US Army Veteran serving in Japan during World War II at General Douglas MacArthur’s Headquarters. Dr. Fox graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. He then graduated from Purdue University with his Master’s Degree and Oklahoma State University with his Doctorate. Dr. Fox was a high school science teacher and coach in Indiana and in Peoria, IL., before becoming a college professor teaching biological sciences at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL., where he was responsible for the accreditation of that College. Richard and his family moved to Springfield where he held several positions including legislative liaison for the Illinois Community College Board. Dr. Fox was also employed by the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, and the Illinois Department of Public Health as an administrator with the Health Statistics Department retiring at age 80 due to health reasons. Dr. Fox was involved with the Red Cross and held a position on the Board of Directors, and he was a member of the Sangamon Valley Amateur Radio Club, KE9FO, and acted as President and “keeper of the pot.” He was a Purdue Boilermaker fan who enjoyed working in the yard, bird watching, and teaching his children to polka and waltz.
The family will always remember and be grateful for Dad’s endless support, encouragement, laughter, love, and humor such as dancing the jig, and his many humorous mishaps including being towed out of his pond many times on his garden tractor.
The family will meet friends for a visitation on Tuesday April 1, 2014 from 4-7pm at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 East Allen Street. A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday April 2, 2014 at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.
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