Richard Allen Dilling, a longtime resident of Warsaw, went home to be with the Lord at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at the age of 83. Most recently he had been a resident of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake.

Richard A. Dilling

He was born on July 30, 1940, in Roaring Spring, Pa., to Janet Joan (Clapper) Dilling and John Ealor Dilling Jr. He earned his Bachelor of Science in physics and math at Shippensburg State College; Master of Science in physics from Purdue University; and doctorate in physics and science education also from Purdue University in 1974. Richard spent his lifetime learning and teaching for over 50 years as an emeritus professor of mathematics and physics for Grace College in Winona Lake. He was a lifelong student of science, math and the Bible.

In 1966, a student by the name of Linda Marlene Edmiston returned to Winona Lake to attend Grace College to major in mathematics, and she met and eventually married her physics professor, Richard Dilling, on Aug. 17, 1968. This year they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Richard was a lifetime member of the National Science Teachers Association, American Association of Physics Teachers and a life member of the Lakeland Art Association. He was also a longtime member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. He is remembered by his students for his compassion and heartfelt prayers at the beginning of each class. Richard was the golf coach at Grace College for several years. He loved football and basketball and checked scores daily in the newspaper and online. During his last three years at Grace Village Retirement Community, he enjoyed playing euchre with fellow residents. For many years, weekdays would find him with a group of friends for lunch at McDonald’s. Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many who will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind his wife, Linda M. Dilling, Winona Lake; daughter, Dawn D. (Tim) Halbakken, Ostrander, Ohio; two sons, John M. (Jessica) Dilling, South Bend, and Richard A. (Katie) Barnhill-Dilling, Durham, N.C.; and five grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Donna Kay Karickhoff, Blacksburg, Va., and Suzanne Jean (Mike) Gray, Wabash; and three brothers, Joseph E. (Judy) Dilling, Roaring Spring, Pa., Thomas E. Dilling, South Whitley, and David L. (Joy) Dilling, Warsaw. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Karl Karickhoff.

Richard’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Abe Hepler and assisted by Tim Halbakken. He will be laid to rest at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, IN 46590 to go toward the Athletic Department, or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.