August 2, 1930 – July 20, 2021
Richard “Dick” G. Landis, 90, Carmel, joined his beloved wife, Joyce, in heaven on July 20, 2021, just 23 days after her passing. As in life, they are together again and always.
He was born August 2, 1930 in Brookville, Ohio, son of Arthur Landis and Lelah Ganger Minnich.
In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his stepfather, Cletus Minnich; and brother, Jerry Minnich. Though Dick was only six months old when his father passed, the Landis family kept him close to their family throughout his life.
Survivors include his sisters, Carolyn (Dave) Phipps and Linda (Jerry) Goodpastor; children, Lance (Naomi) Landis, Layne Landis, Lisa (Bill) Wilber, and Leslie (Eric) Walls; grandchildren, Jessica (Jeremy) Brown, Isaac Goren, Krista (Luke) Mielke, Benjamin (Maureen) Walls, Gabriel (fiancée Whitney), Sarah Wilber, and Starla Landis; and great-grandchildren, Kaitlynn Goren, Zoey Goren, Adeline Brown, Micah Mielke, and Winslow Walls.
Dick was a graduate of Milton Union High School in West Milton, Ohio, and had a brief career as a carpenter before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1951 to 1953.
Dick earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Manchester College in Indiana, where met the love of his life, Joyce. While at Manchester, he played baseball, basketball, and football. In 1971, Richard obtained his Master’s Degree in Education at Central State College in Ohio.
Richard was an accomplished athlete in his youth and carried that into his career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. He taught at Stivers High School in Dayton, Ohio, from 1958 to 1971, where he coached football and mentored countless young athletes, many who were disadvantaged and benefitted from his generous spirit.
In 1972, Dick moved his family to Carmel where he taught at Carmel Junior High School for two years and then became Athletic Director at the newly opened Clay Junior High School. He was inducted into the Stivers High School Football Hall of Fame in 2009. Dick later became active on the board, where he saw many of his own student athletes nominated.
He was an avid golfer, fisherman, and spent his retirement years making fishing poles and mentoring his grandchildren. He loved garage sales, especially when he could barter the prices. Dick loved being involved in his grandchildren’s lives. He always had time to listen and give advice, a gift he extended to the many others he loved outside his family.
A combined Memorial Service honoring Richard and Joyce will be held at noon on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Carmel, of which they were active members. The family will receive guests beginning at 10 a.m. until service time.
In memory of Richard and Joyce, contributions may be directed to everykidsports.org.
Bussell Family Funerals, Carmel-Westfield is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com