Richard Widdis

Richard "Dick" Clark Widdis

Obituary

Richard "Dick" Clark Widdis passed away peacefully on August 6th, 2025, at the age of 85 years old. He is survived by his wife, Molly, whom he was married to for 59 years. He is also survived by his brother Michael (Linda) Widdis; his three children, Troy (Sara) Widdis, Paige (Jim) Bayer, Courtney Rice, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren. cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Clark Stanley Widdis and mother Margaret Ree Widdis.

Richard was born on 9/28/39 in Columbus, OH. and lived in Bexley and Dublin, OH. for most of his life. After retirement he and Molly moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and when the 300 inches of snow a year they received ran its course, they decided to buy a bus and travel between a bus park in Fort Myers, FL. in the Winter and their boat on Catawba Island in Port Clinton, OH. in the Summer.

He graduated from Bexley High School and Ohio University in Athens, OH. After graduating college, he went to work for his dad's fire equipment business and took over the day-to-day operations and presidency. Richard owned the fire equipment company in Columbus, OH. called Booth Fire Equipment Company for over 30 years.

Richard will always be remembered for his love of the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, boating, golf, and shuffleboard. He was a past member of West Catawba Yacht Club on Catawba Island. He was a past Port Captain of the Munising Yacht Club in Munising, MI. in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He received the Admiral Bayfield Award from the Great Lakes Cruising Club for navigating 5000 nautical miles on all five of the Great Lakes for recreation.

He was a long-time member of Rivieria Country Club in Dublin, OH. He was a past member of the Bridgeview Country Club prior to joining the "Riv". He was also a member of the Columbus Amateur Golf Association. He was also lucky enough to have several "holes-in-one" throughout his golfing experience.

While living in Florida, he successfully took up the game of shuffleboard. Eventually, he was inducted into the Florida Shuffleboard Association Hall of Fame. He enjoyed the spirit of competition and traveling to the tournaments throughout Florida and Ohio during the Summer months.

Perhaps the most rewarding experience in his life was his and Molly's relationship with Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. While still living in Bexley, he and Molly took on the role of adopting a Bobcat kitten to raise in their family home and donated back to the zoo after the kitten had turned one year old. They enjoyed it so much that they ended up donating another bobcat kitten and two mountain lion kittens while in their Bexley home. They also raised two young orangutans (Teak & Amber) and a tiger kitten in their Dublin, OH. home. The two orangutans can be seen on the cover of Jack Hanna's first book. Richard would often take a Bobcat kitten to the "Convo" in Athens, OH. for the half time entertainment at the Ohio University basketball games. You may have seen him there! He was a huge, long-time supporter of Ohio University athletics.

We would like to express a special thank you to Echo Hospice of Columbus, OH. and LUXE Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Lancaster, OH, for the care of our husband & father during his struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Another special thank you to Frank at LUXE, he provided the best care possible for Dad. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you Frank!

There are no services planned at this time. If you wish to donate in Richard's honor please donate to Echo Hospice at 8050 North High St., Suite 60, Columbus, OH. 43234 or to the Alzheimer's Association.