Richard Lee Eisinger

Richard Lee Eisinger, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ on May 9, 2025. He was 98 years old. Richard “Dick” was born in Strasburg, Ohio on September 29, 1926, to Christian and Margaret Eisinger and was joined by his brother Ray three years later (twin brother Jay died in infancy). In 1929 Richard’s family moved to Kokomo, Indiana, where he spent his childhood years and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1944. Deciding to pursue a career in pharmacy, he studied at the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy until he was drafted into the United States Army in January of 1945. He was deployed in the Pacific region anticipating combat in Japan, but since the war ended enroute, he served in the 5th and 21st Replacement Depots in the Republic of the Philippines until October of 1946. Not long after returning to Kokomo, “seeing the needs of people” while he was in the army, and “feeling a special blessing from God” and his “unworthiness”, Richard sensed a call to full time Christian service at a church revival meeting. To prepare for this ministry, he became a student at Indiana Central College in 1948. About the same time, Dick began dating Ramona Croddy, who was literally “the girl next door” to his Kokomo home, and they were married on August 27, 1948. After Richard and Ramona lived a short time in Indianapolis, they moved to Pyrmont, Indiana, where Richard had his first pastorate with the Pyrmont United Brethren Church. After graduating from Indiana Central College (1950) and Bonebrake Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio (1950-53), Richard became an ordained minister in the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church. Richard and Ramona, with their first child, Sharon (1953) then moved to Richvalley, Indiana where Richard served as pastor of Richvalley EUB Church (1953-1961). With two additional children, Steve (1955) and Mark (1958), Richard then served as pastor of Grace EUB Church in Bremen, Indiana (1961-65). Their daughter, Kristin, was adopted in 1964.

Sensing a call to work in education with children with disabilities, Richard and his family moved to Indianapolis in 1965 and began working in this field; first with the Noble Center and then with Indianapolis Public Schools (1965-69). He also received more training in education by studying educational psychology at Butler University and received his master’s in education in 1968. Later positions in this field included Regional Consultant and Consultant Supervisor for the distribution of federal funds for the Indiana Department of Public Instruction. Before his retirement in 1991, one of Richard’s most enjoyable positions was serving as the educational administrator for children at Larue Carter Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.

Along with the accomplishments above, Dick Eisinger, was a loyal devoted husband to his wife and sweetheart, Ramona, to whom he was married for 71 years. He was known by his family and friends as a warm, friendly, humorous, servant-hearted, trustworthy person. To Dick no person was a stranger, and he was constantly greeting his caregivers even until his last days. During his retirement years, Dick and Ramona enjoyed living at Heritage Lake, Coatesville, Indiana (1992-2004). They also enjoyed camping, boating, theater, community service (Kiwanis) and traveling to see family and friends. Their last place of residence was Robin Run Village where they lived for 20 years. Richard and Ramona were also active members of Broad Ripple United Methodist Church (Indianapolis), Danville United Methodist Church (Danville, IN) and Bethel United Methodist Church (Indianapolis). Obviously, Richard’s faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life, stating that his favorite Bible verse was Luke 10:27: “And Jesus answered. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your strength and with all of your mind and your neighbor as yourself”.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Christian Eisinger, his mother Margaret (Kurtz) Eisinger and his brothers, Ray and Jay Eisinger. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Stewart; son Steven Eisinger (wife Joan); son Mark Eisinger (wife Denise) and daughter Kristin Wagoner (husband Kevin); grandchildren, Shannon Risken, Ryan Stewart, Morgan Eisinger, Daniel Eisinger (wife Jasmine), Beth McBride (husband Daniel), David Eisinger (spouse Jaye) and Joseph Eisinger; great grandchildren: Jules Risken, Ben Risken, Tobias Eisinger, Samuel McBride, Jane McBride and Daisy McBride.

A memorial service will be held on May 29, 2025, 1:30pm at the Robin Run Village Chapel, 5354 W. 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268. (Entrance is through the clock tower building)

Visitation 1:00-1:30pm, service 1:30pm.

A private graveside service for the immediate family will follow at Washington Park North Cemetery in Indianapolis. Please note: the service will be recorded and can be accessed at a link that will be posted later.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home, 515 W. Camp Street, PO Box 747, Lebanon, IN 46052 or online: https://www.iumch.org/make-an-impact/donate-online/