Richard G. DeWitt, age 87, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

He was born on Oct. 2, 1928 in Richwood, Ohio, to Bacile G. and Myrtle (Clarridge) DeWitt. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Bosart and Mary Lou DeWitt, and step-mother, Ruth L. DeWitt.

He is survived by loving wife of 44 years, Peggy DeWitt; sons, Albert B. DeWitt of Mathews, Va.; Richard (Lorraine) DeWitt of Lancaster, Ohio; Michael H. (Cathy) DeWitt of Granite Falls, N.C., and James (Michelle) DeWitt of Marengo, Ohio; sisters, Beverly (Norman) Egner of Bucyrus, Ohio, and Lisa R. DeWitt of Columbus; brothers, James B. (Lynne) DeWitt of Pataskala, Ohio, and Scott (Joy) DeWitt of Canal Winchester, Ohio; three grandchildren, Lynsey, Joshua, and Madysyn; one great-grandson on the way, Westyn James DeWitt; brothers-in-law, Dan (Beth Ann) Baker of Mansfield, Ohio, and Terry (Phyllis) Baker of Georgia; sisters-in-law, Mary (Jack) Coppess of Newark, Ohio; Sallie (Jim) White of Johnstown, Ohio, and Bonnie (Ken) Carter of Westerville, Ohio, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

At 13 years old, Richard started his own dance band with musicians; Richard sang vocals. He was an inspector for the railroad during the late ’40s and early ’50s. He retired in 1995 from the State of Ohio as an Administrative Services Building Superintendent in Columbus. Richard was in the U.S. Army Air Force Military Police, Charter and a Life Member of the Loyal Order of Moose #1500 in Williamsburg, Va. He was a lifelong member of the North American Fishing Club and past owner and operator of Bit-O-Luck Company and DeWitt International. He was also a past associate of the Ohio Standardbred and Thoroughbred Association and the AT&T Telephone, Pioneers Camping Club: The Wanderers.

Richard was a proud member of the national, state and county Republican Party. He had many hobbies including fishing, camping, hunting, picture taking, genealogy, telling jokes and stories, and loved spending time with his grandkids. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

A memorial service was held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 25 at Newcomer Funeral Home in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 2800 Corporate Exchange Dr., Suite 265, Columbus, Ohio 43231 in Richard’s honor.