Richard Eugene Pence

Richard Eugene Pence, 89, passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at his home near Yoder, Indiana. He was born in Fort Wayne on September 11, 1934. A 1953 graduate of Central High School, Mr. Pence attended Purdue University before serving six years in the Army, including four years at Ft. Benning, where he maintained a wide variety of military vehicles and earned the rank of SP4. After returning to Fort Wayne in 1963, he became a race car driver and, in 1968, won the National Cendiv-SCCA championship, with McJon Photo as his sponsor. Mr. Pence subsequently owned and operated the Shell gas station at the intersection of Fairfield and Airport Expressway in Fort Wayne before joining GE as a tool and die maker. In 1997, he retired to the country home he and Genni built near Yoder, where he enjoyed landscaping, babysitting his grandchildren, working on cars, raising money for charities as a member of the Liberty Diner Car Club, and attending Custom Car Revival and other classic car events. Richard is survived by his wife, Genetia "Genni"; son, Clark (Mary Ann); stepsons, Alan and Jim; grandchildren, Alissa, Katrina and Jesse; step-grandchildren, Emma and Sam; and great-grandson Bentley. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Arley and LaDessa; brothers, Albert, Wade and Robert; and longtime companion, Sally Hoefelmeyer. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for funerals, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46809, with a Celebration of Life to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard's memory may be made to Oasis for Orphans.