Richard Evers Mcdonald

Richard Evers “Wick” McDonald
Richard Evers “Wick” McDonald, 96, died January 12, 2018. He was born in St. Louis MO, on August 4, 1921, to the late Arthur William McDonald and Frances E. Willard McDonald. After moving about the country his first six years, the family settled in Indianapolis, growing up on the north side of the city. He attended Public Schools 43, 76, 80 and 84, and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1939. His formal education started that fall with two semesters at the University of California, Berkley. Wick joined the Sea Bees in 1942, but a nasty bout of pneumonia kept him from overseas duty. Signing up with the V-12 Program, he was sent for two semesters to the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), followed by four semesters at Purdue University. He completed Officers Training School at Camp Endicott, Rhode Island, in 1945 with the rank of Ensign. At the conclusion of the war, Wick returned to Purdue for two more semesters graduating from the School of Civil Engineering in 1947.
In 1950, Wick married Jean Bumgardner of Indianapolis. Together they raised three sons, Scott, Glenn and Bruce, all to become Purdue graduates following their dad’s lead. In the early 1960s, Wick answered an ad in the newspaper: “Would you like to own an orange grove in Florida?” Yes. As a young family they enjoyed road trips around the country, many to Florida to watch their orange grove flourish, freeze out, and flourish again. And the Disney parks were a big hit.
His career as a structural engineer began with the architectural firm of Alden Miranda & Associates where he worked 21 years. Other architectural/engineering firms he was associated with included Geupel DeMars, MW, and James Associates. He retired in November 1982 to enjoy the rest of his life.
Soon, travel to Europe and ocean cruising took on new meaning, as he was able to visit the seven continents. He was happy to say that he took a swim in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Colorado and Amazon Rivers, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Bay of California and the Gulf of Thailand. He visited Machu Picchu in Peru, climbed Ayers Rock in Australia, took a wooden dory on the Snake River in Idaho and also the Colorado River as it winds through the Grand Canyon. He hiked down the Canyon, as well as hiked up. All these adventures were accomplished after age 65!
Wick was a collector and saver. His garage and workroom held treasures from the streets of the world. He was a humorist of sorts, his one-liners were timely and funny. He loved to play tennis, table tennis and bridge.
As a boy, Wick began attending Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in 1928, joining in 1932. He served there as Deacon, Elder, Trustee and Endowment Fund Trustee. “Tab” is where he grew up, met his wife, was married there, and his children were baptized there; he served as a coach on the recreation field, dipped soup in the Soup Kitchen, attended Bible studies, and met a host of folks that provided life-long friendships.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean B. McDonald, and his brother, Willard McDonald. Survivors include his three sons, Dr. Scott (Gina) McDonald, the Rev. Glenn (Mary Sue) McDonald, and Bruce (Ruth) McDonald; 9 grandchildren – Blake McDonald, Brian McDonald; Mark (Jennifer) McDonald, Katy (Johnny) Parker, Jeff (Christina) McDonald, Tyler (Ashleigh) McDonald; Libby (David) Pike, Pete (Julie) McDonald, Emily (Scott) McClelland; and 13 great-grandchildren – Nico, Marco, and Chesa McDonald; Lucas McDonald; Sarah, Megan, and Drew Pike; Emma, Kylie, Caleb, and Cora McDonald; Claire and Rachel McClelland; and one nephew, Doug McDonald.

Services will be held at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 21, with a calling at 12:30 pm, and a service of celebration at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary. A private family burial service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery on January 22. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tab Endowment Fund, c/o Tab at 418 E. 34th St., Indianapolis IN 46205.