Richard Alton Tybout

Richard ("Dick") Alton Tybout was the eldest son of Lillian Alton Tybout and Richard Raymond Tybout, born on September 28 1920, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, where he used his gymnastic skill as a cheerleader. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II, achieving the rank of Captain. During his service he worked on the Manhattan Project with the Corps of Engineers, and upon Japan's surrender, he traveled to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to assess the radiation dangers created by atomic bombs.

After his service, he enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Michigan, first earning a master's degrees in chemical engineering, then after a shift in interest, a Ph.D. in economics. He joined The Ohio State University Department of Economics faculty in 1954 and remained on the faculty until his retirement in 1988. He authored numerous articles and books on topics related to energy and the environment. He was active in the Sierra Club and was the Chairman of its Economics Committee from 1975-1985.

Richard was a long-time resident of Worthington, Ohio, where he and his wife, Rita Holloway Tybout, raised their children. He was an avid boater, swimmer, and do-it-yourselfer. He particularly enjoyed pursuing these activities at his cabin on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, where he spent most of his summers. Following his retirement, he competed in swim meets for seniors, and was active in Toastmaster's International, serving as president of the Worthington chapter 2002-2003. He won several awards for his entertaining and informative talks on a wide-ranging set of topics. In his last years, he enjoyed the company of fellow residents at Bickford of Worthington.

Richard liked to say that he was "strong on family." He never forgot a birthday or special occasion and was an advocate of regular gatherings for "family fun." He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Rita, who passed in 1995. He is survived by their three children and their spouses: Alice Marie Tybout (Brian Sternthal), James Richard Tybout (Patricia Daniels) and Robert Maxwell Tybout, as well as his grandchildren, Andrew Daniels Tybout, Caroline Elise Sternthal Tybout, and Samuel Warren Tybout.

Richard was an inspiration to his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held at a date yet to be determined. Those wishing to donate in honor of Richard's life might consider doing so through the Sierra Club, Common Cause, the Southern Poverty Law Center, or any organization that contributes to lifelong learning.