Richard Walter Waite

Richard W. Waite, 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at The Avalon of Lewis Center. Richard was born on February 21, 1927 to Lottie and Stanley Waite in Cleveland, Ohio. Richard received a B.A. in Education at Ohio State University where he met Marilyn Hennon. When Richard began teaching history at Lima Central High, he and Marilyn were married and started a family.

They had four children, and as the family grew so did Richard’s career. He ultimately received his PhD. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and after spending time as a counselor at Oak Park High in Michigan, the family moved to Huntington, W.V. where he was Director of Student Services at Marshall University. This meant he was the director of many health services for students, including counseling. When the plane crashed that carried the Marshall football team on November 14, 1970, he was responsible for helping students manage their grief and was the face of the university at many of the funerals.

Richard continued in higher education to be the Dean of Students at Ohio Dominican College in Columbus and then Walsh College in Canton. In his “retirement years” he was a pioneer of online education with Walden University where he coached students in writing their dissertations.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn, in 2016 after 67 years of marriage. Richard is survived by his children, Rodger (Tanya) Waite, Monica (Michael) Bing, MaryKay (Steve) Boyer, and Melani Waite; Grandchildren, Sasha (Michael), Heather (Gary), Jake, and Travis (Sarah); Great Grandchildren, Allison, Delia, Cassidy, Aaizlynn, and Chloe; and niece Lisa Hanshumaker.

He was a friend to all and was described as the “epitome of love, kindness, humor and wisdom”. He is deeply loved and will always be remembered by his family and many friends.

A celebration of life for Richard will be held Friday, September 12, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085.