Richard E. Elkin

Richard Earl Elkin, 73, of Vandergrift, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at his home in Peachtree City, Ga., with his family by his side. He was born June 24, 1941. Rich, who was lovingly known as "Punk" to his childhood companions at Vandergrift High School for his playful practical jokes, graduated in the class of 1959 and joined the Marine Corps, serving at Guantanamo Bay through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon returning to civilian life, Rich attended the ICM School of Business and went on to dedicate his career to higher education, serving as an instructor/administrator at ICM, and later as an owner and administrator at ETI Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio, and RETS Tech Center in Centerville, Ohio. Rich was always an avid athlete and fitness buff, excelling as a baseball player, basketball player and powerlifter in his youth, and upon his retirement in 2006, continued down that road and became a champion sprint triathlete. Throughout his life, Rich was notorious for his positive outlook, his friendliness and kindness to friends and strangers alike and his generosity and consideration for those in need. These are values he handed down to his surviving loved ones, Carrie Elkin (daughter), Rick Elkin (son), Austin Elkin (grandson), Alexis Elkin (granddaughter), Josephine Schumaker (sister), Corbett Elkin (brother) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Rich was a beautiful force in this world and he will be missed by all. A private celebration of life ceremony is being arranged and will take place in Vandergrift. In lieu of flowers or cards, donations can be made to Trips For Kids, www.tripsforkids.org, in loving memory of Rich Elkin.