Russell E. Reichardt, age 90, of Marion, passed away at his residence surrounded by his loving family on Friday, July 12, 2013.
On August 17, 1922, Russell was born in Marion, Ohio, the son of the late Arliss and Beryl (Bartlett) Reichardt.
He graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1940, where he excelled in both basketball and football. In his senior year, he was honored by the Ohio Sports Writers as an all-star athlete in both sports. In 1988, he was proud to have been inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Fame.
Furthering his education, Russell attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, for two years, until he chose to join his fellow countrymen in the fight of World War II, enlisting to serve in the U. S. Air Force. He served as an Air Force bomber pilot in the European Theatre.
Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Ohio University to finish his degree in engineering. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Following college, Russ returned to his hometown of Marion, where he was introduced to his wife to be, Doris Hazen, by a mutual friend. They were married on November 1, 1953, at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where they were former members. Together they shared nearly 60 wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised two children.
For many years, Russ worked for the Alloy Cast Steel Company, until he founded his own company, Bradlyn Industries, a machining and fabricating business on Copeland Ave. in 1970. He also developed a community of beautiful homes on Flagpole Hill in Marion.
As a competitive, natural athlete, Russ competed in sports all of his life. He enjoyed many wonderful years of golf with his friends at the Marion Country Club, where he was club champion in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1970, and 1973, and was proud of his five hole-in-ones. He also won the first Heart of Ohio Golf Tournament in 1969.
First and foremost, Russ was devoted to his family. He also enjoyed traveling and entertaining friends in his home. If you were to ask about the best years, Russ’s answer would be when his children were young and family vacations to places like Colorado, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
He will be affectionately remembered by his beloved wife, Doris Reichardt of Marion; two children: Robin (Steve) Reichardt of St. Louis, MO, and Brad (Elizabeth) Reichardt of Asheville, NC; a grandson, Eden Reichardt; a step-granddaughter, Moraea Smith; a brother, Les Reichardt of Liverpool, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
The Reichardt family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday July 16, 2013, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion.
Memorial services honoring his life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Marion Community Foundation, 504 S. State St., Marion, OH 43302, and the Marion Public Library, 445 E. Church St., Marion, OH 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Russell’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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