Richard Wendell Leach

Richard W. Leach, 83 of Lancaster, formerly of Athens, died Sunday November 1, 2015 at Fairfield Medical Center. He was born December 7, 1931 in Jackson, OH. He was the son of the late Ralph and Lelia Leach. Richard served four years as a cryptographer with the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict.

He attended Ruphis Putman Elementary, graduated from Athens High School, and graduated from Ohio University with a BS in Architectural Engineering. He retired from Anchor Hocking Corp., was a consultant in the glass industry, for five years. He worked as the Plant Engineering Manager at Fairfield Medical Center, where he retired again, after 10 years of service. He worked as a volunteer at Tarhe Elementary School for¬¬¬¬ 15 years. He attended The First Church of God, in Athens and Lancaster.

He is survived by two children, Kimberly (Kenneth) Leach Johnson of Naples, FL, Timothy (Cheryl) Leach of Lancaster; OH, four Grandchildren, Kyle R. Johnson of Stanford, CT, Kurtis R. Johnson of Tampa FL, Kristofor R. Johnson of Portland, Oregon and Andrew T. Leach of Lancaster, OH, 1 great grandson, Kolton William Johnson; two Brothers, Sherman (Polly, deceased) Leach of Grove City, OH, Ronald (Marilyn) Leach of Cleveland, OH.

Richard was preceded in death by the Love of his Life, for 56 years, Dorothy (Kelley) Leach, and his parents Ralph and Lelia Leach.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home, Lancaster. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Clarks Chapel Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Pilot Dogs, 625 W. Town St., Columbus, OH 43215-4496, or a charity of choice