- Date Of Birth: March 28, 1933
- Date Of Death: July 22, 2014
- State: Indiana
Richard A. “Rich” Acksel, 81, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, July 22, in his residence.
Rich was born on March 28, 1933, in St. Louis to the late Arthur and Rose (Bassler) Acksel.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Marcella Becker, preceded him in death.
He married Carol L. Westhoff on Aug. 24, 1957, in St. Louis.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Carol; three sons, Thomas R. (Susan) Acksel of Elkhart, Douglas J. Acksel of Floyd, Va., and James B. Acksel of Evansville; and two granddaughters, Cara Acksel of Athens, Ohio, and Krista Acksel of Elkhart.
Richard retired in 1995 as a mechanical engineer for Miles Laboratories (Bayer) in Elkhart. He was a graduate of the University of Missouri/Rolla School of Mines and Metallurgy.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He served for many years with Lutheran Braille Workers. He was also a member of the Elkhart Conservation Club.
Rich enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, Carol, with the Guys and Dolls Dance Club, and playing the accordion at many area nursing homes for the benefit of the residents. Rich liked fishing, gardening and woodworking. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
