Richard D. Erwin Sr.

Richard D. Erwin, Sr., 84, passed away on June 26, 2023, in Noblesville, Indiana. He was born on February 1, 1939, in Gary, Indiana.

Richard was a devoted member of the Lutheran church and at his passing was a member of the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Westfield. For 30 years he taught High School Economics and Government in Gary and Michigan City. He also spent 18 years performing spot labor at US Steel.

Richard was a devoted husband and father. He believed in hard work and the care of his family above all else. Richard enjoyed swimming, sailing & spending time with his family. He loved dogs, especially Scottish terriers. His idols were Teddy Roosevelt and Albert Schweitzer.

He married the love of his life, Louise Dittmer, in 1959. For the next 56 years they faced life’s challenges as a team, until she succumbed to cancer in 2015.

He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Erwin, his sister Susan Erwin, and his parents, Ray (Robert) and Georgina Erwin.

He leaves behind three children: Richard Erwin Jr., Robin Erwin and Randi Bischoff (Erwin). He also leaves behind four grandchildren: Seneca Erwin, Alexandria Gaines (Bischoff), Spencer Bischoff and Griffin Bischoff; and one great-grandchild, Emery Gaines.

Richard was for many of us an example of kindness. No matter the circumstance, Richard was always polite and cordial. He was, for a time, the rock of our lives, and he taught us to be the same for our families in turn.