Richard Hinkle

1933 - 2024

Well-loved and highly respected, Richard "Dick" Hinkle, 91, of Forest Hill and late of Parkville, Maryland, passed away after a brief final struggle with heart failure at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore on October 12, 2024. Born on May 21, 1933 in Salem Ohio, Dick graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1951. He attended college at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint Michigan, graduating in 1956, and briefly working at General Motors Fischer Body plant in Cleveland before being drafted. From 1956 to 1959 he was stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, in the Army Chemical Warfare Center. He met his future wife Anne (Kelly) during this time and began their courtship. After his honorable discharge in 1959 he returned to Ohio, briefly working again at Fischer Body before accepting a civilian position at Edgewood Arsenal. Anne and Dick married in April 1960 at St Mark Catholic Church in Fallston, Maryland, settling first in Forest Hill, and ultimately in Hickory, Maryland. They lived in their home in Hickory, raising their family, for the next 60 years.

Dick was very involved in the Edgewood Arsenal Army Flying Club on post as a club officer and flight instructor. After his wife and family, flying was his passion and he logged over 7000 flight hours in his avocation. He was a volunteer with both Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 952 at Hickory Elementary School from 1971 until 1987, serving as Webelos Den Leader, Troop Committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Councilor. After his retirement from government service in 1991, Richard was active as a volunteer with St Margaret Church for many years. He was honest to a fault, quick to pitch in when help was needed, a devoted father and friend to those in need.

He is survived by his brother James and wife Mary Hinkle of Biloxi, Mississippi; son Jeffrey and wife Kathy Hinkle of Arvada Colorado; son David and wife Kathy Hinkle of Phoenix, Arizona; son Gerald Hinkle and wife Suzanne Speiss of Bel Air, Maryland; grandchildren Chauncey, Sabrina, Meghan, Corey, Brendan, Max, Patric, Sam, Nora and Tom, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna (Piona) Hinkle; his brother William Hinkle; his sister Sue, and her husband Terry Peacock; and Anne, his wife of 60 years.

Richard was interred at Highview Memorial Gardens in Fallston, Maryland in a private ceremony. A public funeral mass will take place on Friday, November 15, 10:00 AM at St Margaret Church in Bel Air. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, (heart.org) ; or the Baltimore Area Council, BSA (baltimorescouting.org).