Richard K Apple

Richard K Apple passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus. He was born July 19, 1934, in Oaklandon, IN, the oldest of four children by Richard M and Ruth C Apple. He is survived by his lovely wife Carolyn, brother Steve (Karla), and four children- Elizabeth (Victor) Young, Hal (Sophia) Apple, Melissa (Andrew) Hamilton, and Jim (Julia) Apple. Four grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive.

Being the son of a school principal, Richard went to several schools and then graduated in 1952 from Jackson Township High School in Clinton County. Winning a Navy ROTC scholarship, he graduated from Purdue University in 1956 with a degree in mechanical engineering. This was followed by marriage to Carolyn Money Apple of Danville, Indiana, and then three years of service in the United States Marine Corps.

Richard enjoyed a long and successful career with Cummins Engine Company and rose to the office of vice president of engineering where he worked in Columbus, Indiana, Jamestown, New York and Memphis, Tennessee.

Richard was very energetic and had a good sense of humor, while being sober of mind and thoughtful. Being a true Marine, he was direct and to the point (blunt) which resulted in getting things done precisely and quickly. He valued humble seriousness and yet commonly had a big genuine smile on his face. He was completely trustworthy and reliable, and he provided very well for his family. In his heart, he valued follow-through and hustle. Overflowing from his passion for sharing the love of Jesus and giving hope to people in need, he was generous with his support for evangelistic organizations such as Johnson Bible College (Johnson University), Memphis Inner-City Outreach, Mid-South Christian College, IDES, and Purdue Christian Campus House.

Richard had a wide variety of interests, including military history, reading novels and multiple newspapers, golfing, fishing, jogging 3 miles a day, playing bridge with several close friends, traveling around the world and across the USA, and watching sports. He was a hard-core Purdue Boilermaker even though three of his children graduated from the red and white college.

Richard took on many responsibilities and always wanted to be useful and live each day to the full. He was on the Columbus Utilities board, he was a church deacon and elder for many years, he was a Sunday school teacher and a Bible Bowl coach. He welcomed into his home a Vietnamese refugee nicknamed Mike to live with the family for a year to help him land on his feet in America. He also brought in a nice young orphan named Speedy to spend time with the family and experience normal family love and acceptance.

Richard’s greatest love was for Christ Jesus. He was a loving husband and father. He was a faithful friend.

The funeral will be on February 17 at Plainfield Christian Church at 1:00 with calling hours beforehand from 11:00-1:00 PM.

Checks for memorial gifts for Richard K. Apple should be made out to Johnson University with the fund name (Richard M. & Ruth C. Apple Scholarship Fund) in the memo line as well as in memory of Richard K. Apple.

Please mail checks to Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998 or you may give online at www.JohnsonU.edu/Donate