Richard L. Atkins, age 90, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 5, 2024. He was a retired aerospace engineer, with half his career in the aviation industry and half in the procurement of military training simulators. He was a committed Baptist, teaching adult classes and seminars, including teaching his Sunday morning class and singing in the choir the last week of his life. His aim in teaching was to reconcile religion with science and to rid religion of superstition. He wrote on various philosophical topics and created his own artistic illustrations. He was also a Democrat and a member of the United Nations Association. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, J.S and Geraldine Atkins, and his sister, Ann Shelby and her husband Gary. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Merilyn Gunter Atkins, sons, R. Lee Atkins, Jr. (Nancy), Laird D. Atkins (Sheryl) and Joel G. Atkins (Rhonda) and daughters, Cristi A. Valdes (Paul) and Amy A. Bock (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren Kristin Atkins, Richard L. Atkins III (Ally), Daniel Atkins, Camille Plant (Josh), Jaimee Atkins, Matthew Fuentes, Jerissa Fuentes, Samuel Valdes, Meri Valdes, Grant Bock (Kendall), Davis Bock and Jessie Bock, and his great-grandchildren, Ezekiel (Zeke) Atkins, Nathaniel (Nate) Atkins, Gabriel (Gabe) Atkins, Sawyer Plant, Sloane Plant, Sutton Plant, Serenity Fuentes, Isabelle Fuentes and Samuel Bluemer, as well as many nephews, nieces and longtime friends. Visitation will be held at Church on the Drive in College Park at 9:00am on Saturday, May 11. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, May 11, at Church on the Drive, with a reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. A private burial service for family members will follow at Palm Cemetery, Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to Church on the Drive, 1914 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804.
