Richard Santilli

Dr. Richard Robert Santilli, DDS died peacefully on April 29th, 2025 at the age of 92, surrounded by his family.

He was born December 4th, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio to parents Paul and Vienna (Ofrenzo) Santilli. He graduated from Linden McKinley High School. His character, work ethic, and talent opened doors for him in a challenging climate for Italian Americans. He received his undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University in 1954, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. A talented musician, he played both the saxophone and clarinet in a band and worked multiple jobs to pay his way through school. He chose to pursue a career in dentistry, receiving his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Ohio State in 1958.

Following dental school, he served two years as a dentist in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. He returned to Columbus, where he began the private practice of dentistry on the north side of town. He met dental hygienist Grace Ellen Curtis at a dental meeting in 1961 and they quickly fell in love. They married February 10th, 1962, and they would go on to have three sons: Gregg, Jeffrey, and Scott.

Richard, or Dick, as many called him, practiced dentistry for 47 years, into his seventies, and also had an affinity for automobiles. He started a vehicle leasing business Select Auto, Inc., and commonly devoted Wednesdays to the car business. A devoted family man, he exemplified the value of honesty, hard work and integrity and built a life for his family for which we are eternally grateful. May we always be faithful to the values and traditions that he taught.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Grace, his sister Eleanor (Santilli) Carpenter, and brother Paul T. Santilli. He is survived by his brother Ronald Santilli of Columbus, Ohio; sons Gregg (Beth) Santilli of Dallas, Texas, Jeffrey (Denise) Santilli of Columbus, Ohio, and Scott (Kristin) Santilli of Columbus, Ohio; five grandsons Justin (Katie) Santilli of Dripping Springs Texas, Graham Santilli of Dallas, Texas, Colin Santilli of Columbus, Ohio, Carson Santilli of Columbus, Ohio, Shepherd Santilli of Columbus, Ohio, and a great grandson, Thomas Santilli of Dripping Springs, Texas.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Upper Arlington, 1899 McCoy Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220, on Saturday May 17th, 2025 at 10:30 am. A luncheon will follow at 12:00 pm at a nearby location. Flowers may be sent to St. Andrew, or in lieu, a donation to a charitable cause may be made.