Richard W.O. Lethander

Richard W. O. Lethander (3/3/1941 - 10/28/2014) Richard was the oldest of three children born to Walter and Mildred (Lund) Lethander in Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Marilyn and survived by his brother Roger (Joyce), his wife of 50 years Barbara (Sommerschield), their three children Charles (Heather), Rebecca (Christopher Bultinck), and Andrew (Sarah) and eight grandchildren, Eric, Matthew, Ethan, Emily, Kyle, Lauren, Madilyn and Charlotte. Richard was an Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He was very pleased that all his sons and grandsons were involved in the Boy Scouts with three also achieving Eagle Scout and two others continuing their climb toward that goal. Richard graduated from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, IL where he met his sweetheart and wife, Barbara Sommerschield. They were married in 1964 in Park Ridge. He graduated from Carleton College in 1962 and completed his PhD in Economics at Duke University in 1968. He began and ended his career teaching Economics which was his passion. He held teaching positions at the University of Massachusetts, Lake Erie College, Auburn University, Brewton Parker College, and Tennessee Wesleyan College. He also worked for the CIA, BF Goodrich, Eaton Corporation, Sherwin Williams and Leonard Peterson & Co. While living in Cleveland, he was involved in the Cleveland Business Economist Club (affiliate of the National Association of Business Economists) and served as President 1980-1981. These job opportunities took him throughout the Eastern United States. He lived in Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee until he retired to Indiana to live near his daughter, Becky, and her family. His biggest joys were spending time with family and enjoying the beauty of God's creation. He and Barbara divided their time between their home in Fishers, and Woodson Bend Resort in Kentucky, where he enjoyed hosting friends and his children and grandchildren for many adventures on Lake Cumberland. He loved hiking in the woods and was proud of climbing Mt. LeConte with his two sons. He enjoyed spectating at auto and bicycle races, particularly Le Tour de France with the gorgeous countryside and mountain scenery. Richard and Barbara celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 13, 2014 with a family celebration at French Lick, Indiana. Richard and Barbara enjoyed square dancing, traveling and cruising. Their last travel excursion was last Fall to Israel. One of Richard's favorite retirement activities was attending Friday morning Breakfast Club with the men of Britton Falls. Throughout his life, Richard had a deep and personal connection with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He and Barbara were active members of their church in each community where they lived including Bay Presbyterian Church, Auburn United Methodist Church, Keith Memorial Church of Athens, Tennessee and St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Indiana University Health Hospice or Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, IN. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story.