Richard Lee Landis

Richard Lee Landis, a native Phoenician, was born Dec. 3, 1922, and passed away on March 4. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Minnie, daughters Carole Noce and Sandi, sons Dick and Bob, three grandchildren Sam, Ben, and Laura, and his sister, Mary. He was pre-deceased by his son, Bill. He enlisted at the outbreak of WWII and served in England with the Eighth Air Force. Dick was a prominent local businessman from 1947 thru 1980. He was a co-owner, with his brother Ben, of Landis Cyclery, a bicycle company established in Phoenix by their father in 1912. He was a man of varied interests, of which his family was the most important. He was an energetic and talented man whose many accomplishments included being a low handicap golfer, a Bronze Life Master bridge player, and of having a booming bass voice. He was a member of Moon Valley and White Mountain Country Clubs and sang with the Phoenix Male Orpheus Chorus for 20 years. He was a member and past president of North Phoenix Rotary Club. He will be remembered by most for his unique sense of humor and a natural charisma. His family will remember him, as well, for those qualities, but we will also remember his fairness, wisdom, kindness, and abiding love. God saw he was getting tired and a cure was not to be. He put his arms around him and whispered, "Come with me". With loving eyes we watched as he peacefully passed away. We loved him oh so dearly but we could not make him stay. His golden heart stopped beating, his hands are now at rest. Our hearts were broken when God took the very best.