- Date Of Birth: June 10, 1936
- Date Of Death: January 21, 2021
- State: Arizona
He was born to Helen Gertrude and William Richard Kerr in Van Wert, Ohio on June 10, 1936, the second of three children. In 1951 his family moved to Arizona, where a few years later his father opened up Kerr Sporting Goods. He loved sports and played both football and basketball at North Phoenix High School. He attended Phoenix College on an academic and sport scholarship for both football and basketball. His high school football coach, a former Marine, was a big influence in his life. Dick and five of his closest friends enlisted into the USMC together. He was in the reserves each summer until he graduated from college.
Dick has been an active resident of AZ for the past 30 years, returning after retiring from the United States Marine Corps. He served our country for 26 years starting in the reserves, then active duty, two tours in Vietnam with the 7th Engineer Battalion. Later in his military career, after receiving his MBA Finance from ASU, he served as the Comptroller of Iwakuni Air Station in Japan, went to Commanding Staff School in Quantico, VA, and finally as the Budget Officer of the Marine Corps. He worked for defense contractor Raven in Indiana for several years before returning to Arizona, where he Instructional Resource Facilitator for Scottsdale Unified School District, and Airport Operations Coordinator for the City of Scottsdale Airport. He finally retired in Scottsdale, AZ.
He loved be of service to people and his servant’s heart was always evident. Dick always said he “would sleep when he was in heaven,” which is evident in the organizations Dick served in: Hospice in Virginia and AZ, Gideon’s International Fredericksburg, VA, distributing bibles; Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter (2001-2008), helping families after fires and serving during state/national disasters. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dick was awarded as one of the volunteers of the year the Clara Barton awards for the 6 weeks he served as a Red Cross Liaison with the military working to get assistance to families. While he lived in Prescott, he volunteered as one of the early Citizen on Patrol (COP) and because of his love of the forest and nature, he served as volunteer working with the park rangers as he used to after high school. Dick was a member of Mountain View Presbyterian Church for 30 years where he served as a deacon, was active in the Men’s Association ministries, member of the choir. He was a 3rd Degree Master Mason, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. He loved to travel and meet new people. He always had a story.
Dick is survived by the mother of his children, Danalu Kerr whom he met while in college and was married for 30 years: Daughters Debra Kerr of Fredericksburg, VA and Denice Kerr (Mark Hankin) of Bellevue, WA, four grandchildren Mary-Martha and Christina Powell, Wade and Sam Hankin and two great grandsons Isaac-Elijah Richard and Gabriel Shiner as well as their father, Derek Shiner. Dick is also survived by a sister, Shirley Wolters (Robert) and family, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Kerr, and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews and their families. Dick is also survived by a special caregiver, Diane Branch who he also considered his daughter. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and William Kerr; brother, Robert (Bob) Kerr, grandson Isaac Powell, and granddaughter Rachael Powell.
Gideon’s International (Bible or Faith funds) Gideons International | Donate
Hospice (Maricopa County chapter) Solace Hospice: Hospice care in Maricopa County ()
Shriner’s Hospital – Phoenix AZ
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