Richard H. McMillan

Richard H. McMillan passed away on November 26, 2022 at age 92. He was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio and graduated from Lorain High School with the class of 1948B.

He loved the outdoors and was a dedicated Boy Scout growing up. As a young man he continued with scouting by volunteering as an assistant Scoutmaster. The highlight of his scouting experience was leading his troop to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in California in 1953. He especially enjoyed gardening and raising orchids in the greenhouses he designed and built himself.

Richard began his career as a coil winder at Lorain Products in 1948, when there were only a handful of employees. He would proudly tell people he had employee badge number 007. After numerous promotions as the company grew, he was named the Director of Operations, overseeing the manufacturing facilities with over 800 employees under him. He was incredibly dedicated to the company and known for being a firm but fair manager. He went on to graduate from the Case Western School of Management with a certificate in Advanced Management in 1977.

A long-term member of Christian Temple in Lorain, Richard served as the chairman of the trustees, a deacon, and the Sunday school treasurer. Additionally, he was a member of the City of Lorain Senior Fellowship where he served as co-treasurer and backup chaplain.

Richard was not only a leader at work and in the community, he was well respected and loved by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed countless remodeling and construction projects with his son Doug, serving as his right-hand man and often as his foreman! Even in the most challenging projects, the two of them worked together like smoothly running gears, each knowing what the other needed without speaking a word.

Richard was an inspiration to his sons and grandchildren, teaching them the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of advanced education. He showed great pride in all of their academic and personal accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Jennifer, in 2009 and his wonderful companion LaVerne Toth in 2022. He is survived by his sons, Doug (Mary Beth) McMillan, of Amherst and Don (Catherine) McMillan of Florida; four grandchildren, Erin (Nick) Gornall, Kelly (John) Simenson, Ryan (Katie) McMillan, and Alexis McMillan; and six great-grandchildren: Calvin, Emmett, Cameron, Charlie, Evan, and Maddie. Additionally, he is survived by LaVerne's daughters, whom he considered his own: Nancy (Mitch) Czerkas, Patty (Ziggy) Ziegler, and Janet (Howard) Pullin.

At his request he will be cremated and his ashes interred at Ridge Hill Memorial Park. Richard requested no service, as he desired to be remembered in life and not death.