Richard Earl Frey
Richard Earl Frey, age 87 of Gnadenhutten, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at his residence.
Born on Fair Avenue in New Philadelphia on May 21, 1931, Dick was a son of the late Walter and Zella Miller Frey.
A 1949 graduate of the former Gnadenhutten High School, Dick was a track standout. He won first and second place in the long jump and high jump at the county track meet his senior year.
In 1954 Dick was drafted into the United States Army and assigned to the Signal Corps, where he served as a clerk. During his 18 months of service, he was stationed in Ansbach, Germany, where he met and fell in love with Ingeborg Huber. The couple married on Aug. 14, 1957, and shared in 53 years of marriage prior to her passing on June 19, 2011.
For nearly four decades, Dick worked as a supply clerk with Warner-Swasey/Gradall Company at New Philadelphia and retired in 1996. He was a passionate hobby farmer who enjoyed working the 160-acre family farm in Fry’s Valley. He also was an active member of the River Valley Antique Tractor Pullers Association.
Through the years Dick amassed countless awards for his keen ability to read the track just right and pull off big wins with his restored 1945 Allis Chalmers WC tractor. He was a longtime member of Fry’s Valley Moravian Church and enjoyed bowling and watching college basketball, the Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers.
Dick will be greatly missed by his children, David (Karen) Frey of Gnadenhutten and Debra (Joe) Gray of Fry’s Valley; his grandchildren, who lovingly called him opa or papa, Morgan Frey, Jordan (fiancée, Katie Cunningham) Frey, Cody (Sara) Gray, Eric Gray and Taylor Gray; four great-grandchildren, Parker Cunningham, Alayna Frey, Owen Gray and Leah Gray; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Dick was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Gretta) Frey.
The family will greet guests on Saturday, June 2 from 5-8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Dick’s life will be led by Pastor Christine Johnson on Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in Fry’s Valley Cemetery. All are invited to a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, following services.
Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be directed to Fry’s Valley Moravian Church, 594 Frys Valley Road SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Dick by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com.