Richard "Dick" Gephart

1933 - 2021

Richard "Dick" Gephart

West Lafayette - Richard "Dick" Gephart, 87, of West Lafayette, IN, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2021. Dick was born March 16, 1933, in Lafayette, IN to the late Oscar "Bob" & Dorothy (Follick) Gephart. They lived on a farm near Otterbein. Dick & his brother, Joe, learned to work hard by helping their dad on the farm. The family worshipped at the neighborhood church, Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church, where they were life-long members.

Dick was a graduate of Otterbein High School, Class of 1951. He was drafted into the Army in June 1953. Before entering the Army, he married Carol Johnson at the Oxford United Methodist Church on May 10, 1953; she survives. They were married for over 67 years.

After a two-year term in the Army, Dick & Carol returned home to the family farm in rural Otterbein where they made a life of farming. They had four children, Pam (Tom) Robertson, David (Kay) Gephart, Nancy (John) Chapman & Dan (Linda) Gephart. Dick loved each of his children dearly & was very proud that they all graduated from Purdue University. In their family, hard work was balanced with love & good times. Dick especially loved sharing stories with his grandchildren & great-grandchildren. He will be missed by John (Nancy) Robertson, Kelli (Kyle) Bowen, Brad Gephart (Brooke Wallpe), Suzanne (Joe) Cox, Lauren Gephart (fiancé Dominick Rund), Jay Chapman (Meredith Marley) & Scott Chapman. Dick beamed with pride when talking about his great-grandchildren, Tanner & AJ Robertson, Fletcher & Palmer Bowen, Cara, Kendall & Annabelle Gephart, Molly & Tyler Cox, his brother Joe (Elaine) Gephart & their daughters, Sue Ellen (Chris) Chopp & Sally (Greg) Mann & their children; Caroline & Joe Chopp, Jake & Luke Mann.

Dick was a successful farmer in Benton & Warren counties. In February of 1960, he completed the Purdue School of Agriculture Winter Short-Course in General Agriculture. Dick loved the Lord, his family, his country & the farm. Dick & Carol raised their family as members of the Armstrong Church. Dick worked on many projects with the church men to improve the church. His camaraderie with the church men was important to him. In retirement, Dick & Carol became members of the Otterbein United Methodist Church.

Dick was pleased to be chosen for the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in September 2014. It allowed him a chance to relive his service to his country & be recognized for serving.

Dick was a storyteller. He loved a table filled with family and friends, and he never missed a chance to entertain his audience including his 1951 fellow Otterbein graduates. From the euchre table to the dinner table, Dick was quick with a story, joke & smile. Dick & Carol enjoyed boating with family and friends, in Kentucky, on Lake Cumberland. They also spent many winters in Florida & especially loved being at Disney World.

A private family funeral service will be, Saturday, January 30 at 1:30 PM at the Otterbein United Methodist Church, Reverend Ben Cassiday officiating. The service will be live streamed on the church's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/oumcchurch) for those who wish to attend virtually. Burial will follow at the Armstrong Chapel Cemetery with military rites. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be given to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 405 E. Oxford Street, Otterbein, IN 47970 or Armstrong Chapel Cemetery Association, 8846 N. State Rd 55, Pine Village, IN 47975. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting Dick's Family. Visit Shoemaker Funeral Home-Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page or www.shoemakerfh.com to leave any condolences or to share a memory of Dick. When it is safe to gather, there will be a wonderful celebration of Dick's life complete with lots of stories & pie.