Richard Hemker Obituary

Richard A. "Dick" Hemker

Richard A. "Dick" Hemker, 86, of Findlay, died at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Findlay.

He was born March 18, 1937, in Delphos, to Clarence and Mary (Rode) Hemker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four older siblings, George, Rosemary, Martha and Clarence.

After the untimely death of their mother when Dick was two years old, the family was split up and put out with relatives. Halfway through second grade, Dick was placed in St. Anthony's orphanage in Toledo. Summers were spent at the orphanage's camp, where Dick began a lifelong love for fishing and Lake Erie.

During the eighth grade, someone became interested in adopting Dick, so his brother George took him out of the orphanage in order to keep the family together. Dick completed ninth and tenth grades at Dayton Chaminade and then attended Patterson High School for half of his junior year. He then came back to Delphos to finish at St. John's. While working in the cafeteria for his lunch, Dick met Marilyn Friedrich, who would become the "love of his life."

After high school and several jobs, Dick decided to enlist in U.S. Army and went to basic training in Ft. Carson, Colorado. Dick began basic training in October, 1956. From there, he shipped out of Fort Dix, New Jersey, and went to Germany with the 8th Infantry Division. At Heilbronn, Dick qualified for the rifle team, which shot in competitions around Germany and won many trophies. Dick's last duty station was in Baumholder.

While in the Army, Dick decided that he wanted to join Ohio State Highway Patrol and applied in June, 1958. He first became a dispatcher at the St. Mary's post in December 1958. On his hours off, Dick would ride with the troops there and became good friends and learned a lot from them.

Dick and Marilyn were married June 20, 1959, in Delphos and shared nearly 60 years together. She preceded him in death Feb. 13, 2019.

In September, Dick got called to go to the Ohio State Patrol Academy. He initially failed the weight minimum of 150 pounds, but Marilyn and her mom fattened him up and Dick passed the second time. Patrolman Hemker graduated Jan. 8, 1960.

Dick was sent to Defiance and the couple lived near Jewell, east of Defiance. While at Defiance, the Hemkers were blessed with three beautiful baby girls. In 1964, the Patrol asked Dick to move to Napoleon and work from his home. In February, 1966, Dick was promoted to Corporal and assigned to the Findlay Post.

Dick was promoted to Sergeant on July 1, 1969, which he held until a position on the Motor Vehicle Inspection Team opened. It gave him straight day shifts with weekends off. March 30, 1989, was Dick's retirement date from the Patrol after over 30 years in uniform.

Following a number of annual family camping trips, the Hemkers settled into a summer place at Parcels Post, Catawba Island. The family still retains two residences there.

Dick and Marilyn are survived by three daughters, Karen (Jeff) Crawford, Deb (Ron) Ammons, and Terri Kempher; eight grandchildren, Chelsea (Kenny) Beilharz, Ashley Kempher, Brook (Alaina) Crawford, Katie (Matt) Perkins, Quinn (Whitney) Crawford, Amy Kempher, Cody (Desiree) Crawford, and Aaron (Shelly) Crawford; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay. Dick's funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Parish East with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Entombment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery with full military rites being conducted by Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad.

Memorials may be given to either Armes Cancer Center, Bridge Hospice, or St. Michaels Catholic Church.

Online condolences are welcomed at www.coldrencrates.com.