Richard M. Baughman

Richard Malcolm “Dick” Baughman, of Vandalia passed away on August 16, 2024 at the age of 96, at Hospice of Dayton. Born on December 28, 1927, in the Hungarian Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, the first born child of Paul and Geraldine Baughman, Dick spent his life devoted to his family and close friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Don and sisters, Betty and Edna Anne. He is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Steve (Janet), Jeff, Mark and Tim (Gina), daughters Susan Hicks and Amy (Todd) Bailey and brother-in-law Walter Smith. 

Dick left a lasting, positive impression on countless friends, his work family at Ohio Bell, and his church family as a longtime member of First Christian Church in Huber Heights, where he served as Chairman of the Missions Committee for many years. His is the story of a life well lived by a Christian man full of love.

Dick graduated from South High School in Columbus at semester break in January of 1946, to enlist in the Marine Corps near the end of WWII. Shortly after his service he went to work at Ohio Bell in Dayton. It was here that he walked into a drug store and found the love of his life, Patricia Lindsey, working behind the candy counter. They married on her birthday in June of 1948 and spent 76 years together. Their legacy is six children, 18 grandchildren – Kelly, Erin, Andy, Brian, Courtney, Jessica, Heather, Joshua, Dustin, Brooke, Justin, Taylor, Jack, Anne, Emily, Kate, Abby and Tyler – and 29 great-grandchildren. He leaves an indelible impression on every grandchild as they all experienced his complete and unconditional love throughout their lives. 

Our father was a common man of ordinary means brought into this world during the Great Depression. His family had little in material possessions but, much love and a firm, Godly resolve provided by their mother “Geri” as she was known by all. Dad and his three younger siblings grew up in Southwood Church of Christ, just two short blocks from the Baughman home. 

Dad was both highly respected and loved by non-family members as well. He made lifelong friendships with many from his career at Ohio Bell. His children were blessed to watch their father develop and grow relationships with countless people. If you had Dick Baughman as a friend you had a gift more valuable than any precious metal. His word was his bond and he was often sought out for wise counsel by friends and loved ones in their times of need. He was absolutely the most honest and least judgmental man we have ever known. 

Dad loved beyond measure the October weeks spent at Brown County State Park in Indiana with he and Mom’s closest of friends. He loved Esther Price candy, a fine New York strip steak at The Pine Club and family gatherings for any occasion or holiday. Dad lived a life of moderation in all areas but one. He taught his children the value of hard work, regardless of the task at hand. From young ages he brought his sons along to fall trees, cut and split firewood, then taught them how to stack it properly. He engineered and built his own hydraulic log splitter once he was retired and his free labor source had all grown up, much to their chagrin. He may have been the most meticulous man to ever walk this earth. He taught us the difference between an oak tree and an ash tree, along with just about every other tree native to central and southwest Ohio. His love of nature and the outdoors in general was apparent if you spent any time with him in the outdoors. His backyard was 80% garden and 20% grass until the last few years. He loved Carriage Hill Farm and spent time volunteering there. He found beauty in every tree, shrub, flower, plant, animal, bird or bug he came across. The common theme through every new venture or adventure was making friends. For Dad this was as natural as taking another breath.

Dad’s life story would not be complete without recognizing he and Mom’s very dear friends Tom and Therese Wintrow, and their family of seven children, most of whom mirrored the Baughman kids in age. In retirement, when Dad built a timber frame room addition onto the family home, it was Tom that he sought out as his “co-engineer”. As Dad shared with us later, Tom was his greatest helper not just because of his willingness to work but indeed, because his greatest asset was his mind. He challenged Dad to consider things that perhaps Dad had not thought of, and they were so close that no suggestion was ever a threat. They were just two very close friends working on a project together.

Funeral services for Dad will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr. in Vandalia. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 – 1:00, followed by a Memorial Service then interment at Poplar Hill Cemetery.