Dr. William H. Richter

DEFIANCE - Dr. William H. Richter of Defiance passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, where he was surrounded by loved ones.

He was born in Nashville, Tennessee on March 26, 1946 to the late George and Martha (Smith) Richter. William proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1979-1981 (Active Duty). He was the Ohio National Guard State Air Surgeon, Commander and Colonel of the 180th Medical Squadron in Swanton, OH, receiving its first two Excellent ratings during an inspection. He was also Commander and Colonel of the 178th Medical Squadron in Springfield, OH, where the squadron achieved an Excellent rating on an inspection after failing its previous one. He received numerous medals and awards, including Distinguished Service Medal for Ohio, serving over 30 years of military service until his retirement. Will was quoted many times as an excellent leader, a man who never asked anyone to do anything he wasn't willing to do himself. He quoted many times, "Be here, be on time, and do your job." On January 13, 1995 he married Mary (Gilmore) Richter who survives.

Dr. Richter graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University and later graduated with a Medical Doctorate Degree from University of Tennessee. He worked as a Family Practice Physician with Obstetrics at The Defiance Clinic from 1981-2002. Dr. Richter was Co-Director of Occupation Medicine (WorkMed) and Medical Director of Physical Therapy Services and Sports Medicine from 1995-2002. He was Chief of Staff at The Defiance Hospital from 1999-2002, was President of Defiance County Board of Health from 1999-present, and was Medical Director of Sports Medicine and Student Health Services at The Defiance College from 1994-2002. Dr. Richter was also Plant Medical Doctor for General Motors in Defiance from 2002-2011.

Dr. Richter was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Malaysia 20 Program and taught Science, Math and English in Lawas, Sarawak, (Island of Borneo) Malaysia from 1969-1971. He served on the ADAMhs Board from 2010-present, Defiance County Coroner from 1984-1992, and on the Defiance County Board of Health for 43 years. His passion and dedication to public health were unwavering. Dr. Richter was astute in his facilitation of meetings, ensuring everyone had a voice and all questions were answered-even those for which he knew the answer, but asked for the benefit of others. While the ongoing joke was that meetings in which he wasn't present were shorter, his absence in meetings is palpable, as his dialogue and input were invaluable.

Dr. Richter was a devoted advocate for his community and was loved and respected by so many over the years. In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling, reading, watching movies, cooking and cycling. Will's loving spirit, strength, and infectious laugh will forever live on in the hearts of his family. He is survived by his loving wife Mary of Defiance, his son, Kurt (Amber) Richter of Maryland, daughter, Greta Richter of Pennsylvania, and his beloved grandchildren; Graham, Corbin, Holt and Ryan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Martha Richter, sister June Donahoo, and brother Lallie Richter.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 3rd at the funeral home, with Deacon Jeff Mayer officiating. A Full Military Honors Ceremony will be conducted by the Honor Guard from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to: the Neuro Oncology Gift Fund at the University of Michigan. Donations will support Brain Cancer Research. Checks may be payable to: University of Michigan, and sent to Michigan Medicine Development, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, with a personalized giving link: https://victors.us/williamrichtermd. Memorial donations can also be directed to: 48N48 (Veterans Air Command) PO Box 667, Napoleon, OH, 43545, CHP Defiance Area Hospice Center, or KAVIC (Keller Assists Veterans In Crisis). Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.