Richard Watkins Samuels

September 27, 1918 – December 24, 2007

Richard W. Samuel, 89, of Circleville, Ohio, died Monday, December 24, 2007, at his residence. Graveside service was at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2007, at Ridgewood Cemetery in Wellston, Ohio, with Dr. Doyne N. Wiggins officiating. Memorial services are set for 1 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2008, at the Presbyterian Church, located at 134 E. Mound St. in Circleville, Ohio, with the Rev. William M. Campbell and Dr. Doyne N. Wiggins officiating.

Richard was born September 27, 1918, in Wellston, Ohio, to Richard and Winifred (Davis) Samuel. Dick graduated from Wellston High School and the Ohio State University, College of Dentistry. Following his graduation, he served as a captain and a dental officer in the U.S. Army Air Force for 3 years during World War II.

Along with his dental practice of 50 years in Circleville, Ohio, he had the following professional affiliations: American Dental Association; Rehwinkel Dental Society; Pickaway Dental Society; Central Ohio Academy of Dental Practice Administration; L.D. Pankey Institute; American College of Dentists, Fellow; International College of Dentists, Fellow; Academy of Dentistry International, Fellow; Pierre Fauchard Academy, Fellow; and the Academy of General Dentistry, Master and national director. He was a member and deacon of the Presbyterian Church in Circleville, Ohio, and he was a past president of the Circleville Kiwanis.

Dick came from Welsh immigrant pioneers and coalminers. Throughout his life, he enjoyed many activities such as his adventurous school bus trip to Alaska with his sons and two physicians and their sons.

His love of flying continued throughout his adult life. He achieved an Instrument Rating and enjoyed flying to nearly every state in the United States. Other hobbies included gardening, woodworking, bird watching, fishing and art. Dick's bread baking talents were enthusiastically enjoyed by his children and grandchildren as well as the Pumpkin Show community.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Susan (Walker) Samuel; children Barbara Alice Thomas and husband, William, of College Station, Martha Ann Wiggins and husband, Doyne, of Circleville, Ohio, Richard Phillip Samuel and wife, Maggie, of Aurora, Ohio, and James Evan Samuel and wife, Laura, of College Station; stepchildren, Philip Lawrence Pike and wife, Gina, of Wilmington, Del., Cynthia Pike Blocksom and husband, David, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Linda Pike Johnson and husband, Robert, of Troy, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign Fund, P.O. Box 147, Circleville, Ohio 43113.

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