- Date Of Birth: October 17, 1927
- Date Of Death: November 9, 2015
- State: Florida
Richard H. Henderson
Richard Harold Henderson (“Dick”), 88, died peacefully at home in Indian River Colony Club (IRCC), Melbourne, Florida, with family at his side on November 9, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Irene Folger Henderson; two daughters, Melissa Henderson Bogard (Rudy) of Marietta, Ohio and Belinda Henderson Simile (Daniel, Jr.) of Powell, Ohio; grandchildren, Christopher Henderson Whittaker (Erica) of Parkersburg, WV, Danielle Patricia Simile and Amanda Michelle Simile, of Powell, Ohio; Meshaum Bogard Roark (Phil) of Middletown, Ohio; Sasha Bogard Velasco (Likko) of Miami Beach, Florida; and his cousin, Bettie Wilson Hall (Bob) from Cadiz, Ohio who was like a sister to him; nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and longtime friends. All will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by a 2-year-old brother, Harry William Henderson, and grandson Cory Bryce Whittaker.
Formerly of Columbus (Upper Arlington), Ohio, he was born October 17, 1927 at home in Moorefield, Harrison County, Ohio, the son of the late Howard Vincent Henderson and Carrie Alberta Wilson Henderson, having been delivered by “Doc Campbell” who had delivered Clark Gable 26 years earlier. Richard was raised on the family farm in the beautiful hills of Harrison County and attended Grapevine School, a one room schoolhouse, 1933-1938, for 1st grade through 5th grade, until it closed forever in 1938. He then attended Cadiz City Schools.
Richard graduated from Cadiz High School in 1945 and attended The Ohio State University. He joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, having been sponsored by Doc Campbell’s son. During WWII, Richard took a break from college to serve on active duty with the U.S. Army, Signal Corps, as a Cryptologist,1946-1947, before graduating with a BS degree in Civil Engineering at The Ohio State University in 1950. After leaving the army, Richard joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, Civil Engineer Corps (Seabees) serving 1948-1987. He retired from the Reserves at the rank of Commander.
Richard began his engineering career with General Asphalt & Paving Co., was a Project Engineer for the Ohio Department of Highways in New Philadelphia, and then joined V.N. Holderman & Sons as a Construction Field Engineer in Columbus, Ohio before starting his own surveying company, Henderson & Associates in Groveport, Ohio. In 1957, he went to work for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) where he remained throughout the rest of his career. During this time he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration at The Ohio State University in 1983.
Richard was a farm boy at heart, proud of his eastern Ohio roots and he continued to enjoy gardening and the outdoors most of his life. He loved to camp, fish, hunt, boat, and travel with his family and good friends. He was the consummate do-it-yourselfer and fixer of all things broken. He spent many hours at the Harrison County and the Ohio Historical Societies researching genealogies. He was an avid non-fiction reader and a Civil War buff. He loved the warm weather and warm hearts of his new friends at IRCC in Florida during his retirement years and enjoyed golf, computer club and cocktail parties. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a good provider, protector and mentor as well as a loyal friend. He had a wry sense of humor, a calm and gentlemanly manner, and was known to his daughters as “Mr. Honorable”and the “Ultimate Planner”. He was a man of integrity, patience, character and faith.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate caregivers that made it possible for him to receive care at home in his final months. The help, comfort and friendship they provided will never be forgotten.
