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Richard Allen Burch
Richard Allen Burch, 86, of Greenville, passed away Sunday, April 2,
2017 at the VA Medical Center in Dayton. He was born October 31, 1930
in Fremont, Ohio, to the late Clifford L. and Gladis O. (Printz) Burch.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his first
wife, Vivian B. Spain; two brothers, Clifford and Denver Burch; and a
sister, Margie Brewer.
Richard attended Piqua Schools then worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn,
New York. He served his country honorably in the United States Air
Force during the Korean War from 1949 to 1952 where he was a Teletype
Operator. Following his military service, he worked in the maintenance
department at Hartzell’s in Piqua. Richard Retired from Chrysler in
Dayton in 1990 after 28 years as a Quality Inspector. Physical fitness
and martial arts were Richards passions. He loved exercising and weight
lifting. Richard was a 3rd degree black belt in Karate and taught
karate in Troy from 1960 to 1972. He competed in many tournaments and
was undefeated. During one such tournament in Toronto, Canada, in 1968,
Richard met his idol, the legendary Bruce Lee. From 1972 to 1980, he
taught physical fitness classes at the Piqua YMCA. Richard spoke fluent
German which he taught to himself and his greatest achievement was
getting his pilot’s license. He had several nicknames, such as Pinky,
Muscle Man and Stone Man. Richard was a member of both the Greenville
American Legion, Post 140 and Piqua, Post 184 as well as the Fraternal
Order of Eagles #2177 in Greenville. He loved his family and
grandchildren. Those who knew Richard could always expect a joke or one
of his favorite sayings, “every day above ground is a good day” and
“I’m still kicking, just not as high”.
Richard is survived by his wife of 18 years, Joyce (Cooper) Burch, whom
he married November 14, 1998; three children, Linda (Craig) Cota of
Covington, Rowdy (Julie) Burch of West Milton and Teresa (Ron) Miller
of Covington; grandchildren, Alicia (Brock) Fields of Covington,
Lindsay (Chris) Trudell of Michigan, Lane Miller of Covington, Brit
Marcelin of Florida, and Jada Burch of Kentucky; great grandchildren,
Marisa Fields and Logan Fields, both of Covington, Mackenzie Trudell of
Michigan and Cayden Dyche of Kentucky; and two sisters, Shirley (Gene)
Gantt and Karen (Sam) Burkett both of Piqua. Richard is also survived
by two step daughters, Rebecca Marcelin and Donna Labate both of Piqua;
and a step son, Thomas (Lynda) Higgins of Sidney.
A memorial service, with full military honors provided by the
Greenville Honor Guard, will be held Friday, April 07, 2017, promptly
at 5PM at the Greenville American Legion, 325 North Ohio Street in
Greenville.
Burial will be in the Dayton National Cemetery at the convenience of
the family.
Memorial contribution may be made to Greenville American Legion Post
140.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com
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