Richard “Dick” Powers
Richard “Dick” Powers, age 88 of Aurora, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, 12/11/ 2024. Born in Buffalo, New York on April 11, 1936, he was the son of the late Wayland and Gwendolyn (Roberts) Powers. Dick was a 1954 graduate of Hamburg High School in Hamburg NY, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where he also joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later earned his Doctorate at Indiana University.
Over the course of his career, Dick served as the Dean of Men and Vice President of Finance for several institutions: the University of Vermont, Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ, South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, and Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio (where he retired in 2003). In his work life and neighborhoods, Dick was a mentor to many, offering his gentle guidance and wonderful advice. He often became a trusted and treasured friend.
When his first wife of 43 years, Polly (Jordan) died, he was in pain for a long time. He found and married his second wife, Chris, and they both learned the lesson about 2nd love and 2nd lives. Dick loved how their children and grandchildren blended and cared for each other. He taught all eight grandchildren to fish on Chautauqua Lake.
Cleveland lost one of the Guardian’s greatest fans! He followed the season’s ups and downs, and Dick and Chris often kept score and cheered in person. He was a frequent bleacher fan at his children’s and grandchildren’s sports: baseball, soccer and volleyball. He was so proud of all of them. After retirement, he and Chris played tennis locally, and traveled with close fraternity friends to many countries around the world. This long-term pattern extended to many happy winters in Ft. Myers, Florida as well.
Dick is survived by his loving wife Chris (Mead/Johnson); his sons David Richard Powers (Pattajit) of Park City, UT and John Richard Powers (Regina) of Arlington, VA.; grandchildren Kataleeya & Annalina Powers, Gwendolyn, Simon & Ryan Powers, and bonus children Bob Johnson (Teri) of Chagrin Falls and Kristen Johnson of Willoughby, and bonus grandchildren Brynn, Danielle & Billie Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Allegheny College, 520 N Main St., Meadville PA 16335, or a charity of your choice.
William E. Griffith
William E. Griffith, 78, of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at UH Portage Medical Center. He was born in Akron on May 29, 1946 to the late Charles E. and Mazie Griffith.
William “Harvey” Woodward
On December 8, 2024, we lost our dear friend William “Harvey” Woodward, at the age of 74. He was a beloved member of the Kent community and will be deeply missed. He was born on May 10, 1950 in Ravenna and graduated from Crestwood High School.
Delia “Dee” (Harvey) Black
Delia O. “Dee” Black 89 of Kent passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Riverside manor in Newcomerstown, Ohio. She was born April 14, 1935 in Overton, TN to Bedford and Nany Bell (Stover) Harvey.
Russell G. Thompson
Russell G. Thompson, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home with family. Born to Marion (Gradwell) Thompson Mack and Gordon H. Thompson on August 6th, 1942.
