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Richard Costen Obituary
Richard grew up on Kenyon St. in south Akron, attending Lincoln Elementary and the old South High School. As a 14 year old, Richard survived polio, missing a year of school and fighting his way back to return to athletics.
After high school graduation in 1948, he attended the University of Akron, studying Physical Education. He met Dorothy Dunlevy at a street dance in Kenmore and has been with her ever since. They married in 1954 at Akron's Main Street Methodist Church. He entered the United States Army as an officer and was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State.
Richard moved to Stow in 1959 and earned a Master's Degree in School Counseling at Kent State. He raised his family in Stow. His first teaching job was with the Bath/Richfield school system as a physical education teacher, followed by a job as a school counselor at Stow High School. Richard also pursued a career in administration at Kent State and after "retiring", worked for Akron Public School's Adult Vocational Services in testing and evaluation. Favorite memories for Richard included times with Dorothy at Summit Lake Park, eating at Luigi's and Bob's Hamburgers, and throughout his life, golfing and swimming. He swam many competitions in Master's Level swim meets. He golfed with old friends in what they coined the "Corner Open".
Richard was a Christian and a devoted attendee at Stow Alliance Fellowship Church in Stow. He was an intelligent and goal-oriented man who practiced self-discipline and study. His joking nature sometimes belied his true intellect.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Costen. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; three daughters, Diana (Mitch) Barkman, Cheryl Costen and Karen Vivino; three grandchildren, Miranda (Sean) Thornton, Lynette Ray and Joseph Vivino. He also leaves to grieve his passing five great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation TONIGHT, 6 to 8 p.m. Pastor John Cervone will conduct service Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Stow Alliance Fellowship, 4460 Stow Road, Stow 44224. Entombment at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Stow Alliance Fellowship.
Mr. Costen's video tribute will be available at www.redmonfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Costen
August 13, 2013
Dad, Mom and Joe and I miss you so much! We wish you were here now telling us your jokes! All of our hearts are broken because you died! God is so lucky to have you now. I wish we still had you. Your daughter Karen
May 10, 2013
We both remember and send our sympathy and prayers for the family to bless them with many, many happy memories. Gary & Debbie (Douglas) Tucker
May 8, 2013
Dear Costen Family, Your father and husband treated me like one of your family when my Daddy passed away in the 70's im thankful for his kindness and loving heart! we were all so blessed by him and his smile! May God Bless you all with his arms wrapped around each of you always! Love,Paula Stout Levitsky<3
Debbie Thomas-Weimer
May 6, 2013
My deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Costen. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Costen and the entire Costen family.
Karen Vivino
April 7, 2013
A few more things dad. I want you to know that I loved you and that you were the best father in the world! You were a great role model for me. Your family and friends will miss your presence so much. Our hearts ache without you. From your youngest daughter who was your caregiver.
Cynthia Mollohan
April 6, 2013
To the entire Costen family,I am deeplly sorry for your loss. You are wonderful people,and I pray that God will comfort you. I still have a bible that your dad gave me in 1977 that he signed the inside cover.God bless you all. Cynthia (Leiby) Mollohan.
Sherry Blair
April 4, 2013
Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope your memories of him help you through this difficult time. Your dad sounds like he was a very active man and will be greatly missed. Thank you for all that you do for my mom, Anita before and after my loss of my own dad this past November. My thoughts are with you and your family. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Karen Vivino
April 2, 2013
I miss you dad so much.I had a wonderful childhood because I had a great father that raised me. You were always so fun to be with, always telling jokes, and in a good mood! You were so good to your family. I have great memories about the nice vacations you took us on. My favorite ones were to Marco Island and St. Petersburg in Florida. We also had good times at Camp Whitewood. My heart has an empty space in it because you are gone. R.I.P. dad, love ya.
Karen Menhorn-Pitt
April 2, 2013
I loved to hear the stories from when you and my dad went to South High and how blessed to have known you, at Stow. You made a difference. On behalf of the Menhorn family, our deepest sympathies. RIP Mr. Costen.
Sandee Gualtier
April 2, 2013
Mr. Costen, you counseled me when I was in 9th.grade, it was good advice. Sure wish they had men like him in the school systems today. Go rest high on Gods mountain.
Jack Stephen
April 2, 2013
A Great Man!Deepest Sympathy Dorothy and Family>
Brian (BREON) Davidson
April 2, 2013
You were my most favorite Uncle ever,
and you will always hold that title. You were one great human being who always made me laugh and you always had a wonderful and very positive energy in you. I will miss you so bad Uncle Rick. And you gave me the best nickname ever that i still love to this day,And that nickname was BREON. Your in Heaven now looking over all of us and one day i will see you again and i cannot wait for you to say There's my Breon. I will miss you so much. May GOD the Almighty bless our whole family. Amen.
Joe Vivino
April 2, 2013
My Grandpa was my first best friend in this world and a role model for me growing up. He was the smartest man I've ever met. I will miss him.
Bonnie Housley
April 2, 2013
Many blessings to the family. Many of us were touched by his kindness, while in the Stow school system.
May he rest in peace.
Blessings,
Bonnie Housley
Miranda Thornton
April 2, 2013
all of my girls and I already miss you grandpa. you're the best grandpa and you've taught us so much. love you
Michelle Weaver
April 2, 2013
Aunt Dorothy & Family,
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Uncle Rick was a very special man who was full of wit and charm. I will always remember his great sense of humor. Every time he saw me he would serenade me with the song “Michelle, me Belle”. I pray God's love will bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Dorothy Costen
April 2, 2013
Rick you were the best husband that any women could ever have and you were so good to me.You were a blessing in my life. You were so fun to be with. I will miss you so so much. I will love you forever and I will see you in heaven.
Diana Barkman
April 2, 2013
I'll miss you dad. I'm so glad all the kids and grandkids were able to know you and laugh at the same humor that I grew up with.
Redmon Funeral Home Inc.
April 2, 2013
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Northlawn Memorial Gardens
April 1, 2013
With deepest sympathy from our staff
God bless you and your family
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