ATHENS - Dr. Richard (Dick) Bernard McGinn Jr. passed away on the morning of March 26, 2018 at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, comforted by friends and family.
Dick was born on Dec. 23, 1939 in Spokane, Washington to Richard and Catherine McGinn, the second of their five sons. He attended Gonzaga Prep, and Gonzaga University after which his interest in English Literature and Philosophy led him towards a Masters' Degree in Linguistics. He was in the third group of Peace Corps Volunteers, serving in The Philippines where he began studying Southeast Asian Languages. This study would be the drive of his remarkable professional career, going on to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Indonesia, a Ph.D from University of Hawaii, and a Chairmanship at the Ohio University Department of Linguistics, and Southeast-Asia Studies Program.
While training future Peace Corps volunteers in 1967 he fell in love with, and eventually married, Judy Rae Brooks and they raised two children, Andrew and Colleen, in Athens.
Dick was an accomplished linguist, a wonderful father and husband, and a champion for local democracy and public health in his retired life. Working with the Athens County Bill of Rights committee, he successfully led the charge for a ballot initiative to let the public vote on whether to continue to allow Athens County to be a dump site for toxic fracking waste. While the measure was struck down multiple times by local courts and the Ohio State Supreme Court, the latest ballot initiative is currently in deliberation.
In addition to his achievements as a scholar, activist, husband and father, Dick had an incredible variety of interests. He was an expert fisherman of Midwestern and Appalachian waters, and there was never a better spoons player in Appalachia. His interests in literature made him an avid reader across many subjects including Ohio History, modern political thought, Shakespeare, and Jung. He also won second prize in the first Brewmaster competition he ever entered, and never missed a Gonzaga basketball game. He built his own canoe out of cedar wood, he published a reader in Indonesia to preserve a disappearing language called Rejang, and he saw 'The Good, Bad, and the Ugly' at least 30 times. He was convinced that, "The meaning of life is the spread of happiness".
He is survived by his wife Judy; his daughter Colleen and granddaughter Mairead; his son Andrew and wife Christine; brothers Art, Joe, John, and Jerry in Washington state and their extended families; beloved in-laws Linda Brooks and Bill Brooks and their families in Michigan.
An open gathering of friends is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at ArtsWest, 132 State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701. All are welcome.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network at apjn.org/about. The family would like to extend a special thank you to OhioHealth Hospice for their kindness in their time of need. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home where friends and family may sign the online guestbook at their website, www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Athens Messenger from Mar. 27 to Mar. 29, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard McGinn

Sponsored by Hughes Funeral Home (Hughes-Moquin) - Athens.

35 Entries

Agnes Piel

May 13, 2019

Dick, may you continue to rest in eternal peace.... I find comfort in the thought that, at least, I had the chance to meet you in person ! Thank you for having been a wonderful and loving husband to my sister Judy.....

Mary Grace Ocasio (Belcher)

July 5, 2018

I know it's a bit too late to sign this book, but I just found out today. I was checking the OU International Studies website and looking for my favorite professors, especially Dr. McGinn. When I didn't find him in the faculty roster, I got curious to see if he had retired and instead found his obituary. Dr. McGinn is one of the professors I will never forget. It was a joy to be in his classes, and I loved being part of the Indonesian Studies Summer Institute that he helped run. Working with him as he developed his Tagalog language materials was also very interesting and inspiring. He opened our minds, as he opened his heart and his home with us, his students. I am truly sad that he's gone, but grateful that I knew him and learned from him.

Chris Wallisch

June 15, 2018

May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept my sincere condolences. - Chris Wallisch

June 14, 2018

We were so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. What a wonderful time we had with Dick at KU. He was like family and is Godfather to our son Chris. Dick would babysit for our three kids when we went out for a movie. So many laughs. He entertained everyone with his tales of Spokane and Gonzaga! We did keep in touch for a short time after we all left Kansas. We still have a picture in one of our family albums of Peace Corps Dick, standing waist-high in a river with a group of people. He has written on it, "A picnic in a river. Why not?" Our best to his lovely family. We'll always be so glad we had the pleasure of his company. Bill and Pat Wallisch, Colorado Springs

April 11, 2018

My condolences to Judy, Andy, and Colleen. Dick was a wonderful man, and much loved by our entire family. Amber, Steve, Steven, and Harrison (Trujillo) McClure.

Monica Lacombe and Family

April 11, 2018

Dear Judy, Andrew, Colleen, and family,
We just heard and send our deepest sympathies to you all. No question, they broke the mold with Dick. Athens will never be the same and he will be deeply missed.

All our best,

Penny Forsyth

April 8, 2018

I was very shocked and sad to hear about Dick. I had the pleasure of running into him from time to time and we would reminisce about the "good old days" of life in the Linguistics Department, his beloved family, and his love of fishing and hiking in West Virginia. My very deepest sympathy to Judy, Colleen, and Andy.

Lian The- & Kent Mulliner

April 8, 2018

We join friends and associates in Athens in mourning this loss to the community.

Bernhard Debatin

April 7, 2018

Dick was part of what makes Athens special and lovable. He was a wonderful, kind, and caring person, who led and inspired the local movement for a clean environment and community self-determination. We will all miss him badly.

Patrick & Mary Anne Shine

April 4, 2018

We were sorry to read about the death of Dick McGinn and wanted to express our sorrow to his family, including his surviving brothers. He is in our thoughts.
Pat and Mary Anne Shine

Angki Kaboy

April 4, 2018

Margaret and I are very sad to hear the the passing of our dear friend Dick. He came to our longhouse in Kanowit Sarawak.some years ago I cannot remember which year. He was doing his research on the Rejang language then. The language has a lot of similarities to ours the 'Kanowits' our heartfelt condolences to Dick's family.I know Dick and our friend Tracy Townsend when we were at University Of Hawaii (1968-1971)
From : angki & margaret.
Kanowit, Sarawak, Malaysia

April 2, 2018

My name is Keri McGinn Riley, daughter of Pat McGinn, who would be Richard's first cousin. I am so very sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man. But that is no surprise, being a McGinn!!!

Meihua Zhai

Sent Flowers

Judith Daso

April 1, 2018

I am very sorry to read this news. I will miss seeing him in the neighborhood and around town.. My sympathy to his family.

March 29, 2018

Much missed. Love to Judy. Marian

Bo & Nancy Eldridge

March 29, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Bo and Nancy

Sally Howell-Cambrice

March 29, 2018

I had the pleasure of working for Dr. McGinn from 1997 to 2000 in the Linguistics Dept. at OU. He was a kind, funny and very intelligent man. He gave me my first "real" job after college and I met so many great people as a result. Although we lost touch after I moved from Athens, I would think of him from time to time. My mother would see him at the Athens Farmer's Market and tell me. I wish his family peace as they grieve the loss of a great man.

Chuck Carroll

March 29, 2018

Dear Judy, Colleen and Andy, you are a special family and I'm sorry for your loss. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. C.

March 29, 2018

Dick McGinn was a good man,one of the best. He is much missed by those in Australia who were fortunate enough to know him well. Much love to Judy and family, Harry Aveling and family

Tracy Townsend

March 28, 2018

Aloha Dick
I'm sure you're up there with our Lord looking down saying "I miss all of you so much, but one day we'll meet again.In the mean time be kind to yourselves and do unto others as you would like them to do unto you."

March 28, 2018

We have no words to express our grief and shock. Dick called us a few days before he was gone to say goodbye, and broke our hearts. Art and Kerry Anne, Spokane

March 28, 2018

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dick, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in the Philippines.

Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association

Missy Hedge

March 28, 2018

I am sorry Judy, Andrew & Colleen.

Nicole Cavender

March 28, 2018

A life full of radiating positivity, Dick has been an incredible influence of love and scholar. A great father to special people who carry forward his spirit and good work. So grateful he was part of my life. So many good memories. The Cavender and Moneysmith family send our deepest condolences.

March 28, 2018

Dick was one of the most thoughtful and kindest spirits I have ever had the honor to get to know
Bill Bias

Jojo and Angela Abinales

March 28, 2018

My mother told me that she immediately knew you were dating Judy Brooks when she saw the two of you Peace Corp volunteers in Ozamiz City, pretending to be "professional" to each other. She said your smile betrayed you and added that that smile will make Judy happy. We will miss you Dick McGinn...

Patricio Abinales

Sent Flowers

Penny Shelton

March 28, 2018

Our deepest condolences to the entire family during this time of profound loss. It was obvious that he contributed to many lives in multiple countries and the ripples of his influence and efforts will continue. I loved reading that he enjoyed life in so many ways including playing spoons so expertly. With warmest best wishes.

Ramneek Pooni

March 28, 2018

Dick lived a full and wonderful life, generously and with integrity and love. My heart goes out to his family, particularly to my good buddy Judy who will miss him daily and tremendously.

Patrick McGee

March 28, 2018

He was a wonderful man who inspired so many of us to stand up for what is right. He will be missed greatly.

Dancing at a Cultural Event on Campus, 2003

James Garza

March 28, 2018

My most sincere "selamat jalan" to Dr. McGinn, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I was in the MAIA Program in the early 1990s at Ohio University. I will always remember his enthusiasm, his encouragement, and his fondness for all things Southeast Asia. I enjoyed his classes so much that I have kept all of my notebooks from them. I will have a long look at them now while I remember how this special man made my stay at Ohio University so valuable. Condolences to Dr. McGinn's family.