Richard Henderson

Richard H. Henderson Richard Harold Henderson (“Dick”), 88, died peacefully at home in Indian River Colony Club (IRCC), Melbourne, Florida, with family at his side on November 9, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Irene Folger Henderson; two daughters, Melissa Henderson Bogard (Rudy) of Marietta, Ohio and Belinda Henderson Simile (Daniel, Jr.) of Powell, Ohio; grandchildren, Christopher Henderson Whittaker (Erica) of Parkersburg, WV, Danielle Patricia Simile and Amanda Michelle Simile, of Powell, Ohio; Meshaum Bogard Roark (Phil) of Middletown, Ohio; Sasha Bogard Velasco (Likko) of Miami Beach, Florida; and his cousin, Bettie Wilson Hall (Bob) from Cadiz, Ohio who was like a sister to him; nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and longtime friends. All will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by a 2-year-old brother, Harry William Henderson, and grandson Cory Bryce Whittaker. Formerly of Columbus (Upper Arlington), Ohio, he was born October 17, 1927 at home in Moorefield, Harrison County, Ohio, the son of the late Howard Vincent Henderson and Carrie Alberta Wilson Henderson, having been delivered by “Doc Campbell” who had delivered Clark Gable 26 years earlier. Richard was raised on the family farm in the beautiful hills of Harrison County and attended Grapevine School, a one room schoolhouse, 1933-1938, for 1st grade through 5th grade, until it closed forever in 1938. He then attended Cadiz City Schools. Richard graduated from Cadiz High School in 1945 and attended The Ohio State University. He joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, having been sponsored by Doc Campbell’s son. During WWII, Richard took a break from college to serve on active duty with the U.S. Army, Signal Corps, as a Cryptologist,1946-1947, before graduating with a BS degree in Civil Engineering at The Ohio State University in 1950. After leaving the army, Richard joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, Civil Engineer Corps (Seabees) serving 1948-1987. He retired from the Reserves at the rank of Commander. Richard began his engineering career with General Asphalt & Paving Co., was a Project Engineer for the Ohio Department of Highways in New Philadelphia, and then joined V.N. Holderman & Sons as a Construction Field Engineer in Columbus, Ohio before starting his own surveying company, Henderson & Associates in Groveport, Ohio. In 1957, he went to work for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) where he remained throughout the rest of his career. During this time he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration at The Ohio State University in 1983. He worked in the Bureau of Location and Design, the Bureau of Transportation Technical Services and served as a Bureau Chief of Public Transportation, and also of Location and Design and for the Design Services Departments. He retired in 1991. Richard was a farm boy at heart, proud of his eastern Ohio roots and he continued to enjoy gardening and the outdoors most of his life. He loved to camp, fish, hunt, boat, and travel with his family and good friends. He was the consummate do-it-yourselfer and fixer of all things broken. He spent many hours at the Harrison County and the Ohio Historical Societies researching genealogies. He was an avid non-fiction reader and a Civil War buff. He loved the warm weather and warm hearts of his new friends at IRCC in Florida during his retirement years and enjoyed golf, computer club and cocktail parties. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a good provider, protector and mentor as well as a loyal friend. He had a wry sense of humor, a calm and gentlemanly manner, and was known to his daughters as “Mr. Honorable”and the “Ultimate Planner”. He was a man of integrity, patience, character and faith. Richard was most recently a member of Faith Viera Lutheran Church, and a previous member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and of Asbury Chapel of the Methodist Church, his “little church out in the country” back home. He was a member of the Ohio Public Transit Association and was named “Ohio Transit Man of the Year” in 1980. He was a member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America; Reserve Officers Association; Military Officers Association; National Society of Professional Engineers; American Society of Civil Engineers; Aladdin Shriners, Columbus, Ohio; The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, Harrison Lodge No 0219, Cadiz, Ohio; the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, Cadiz Chapter; and was an Honor Flight Honoree. The family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate caregivers that made it possible for him to receive care at home in his final months. The help, comfort and friendship they provided will never be forgotten. There will be a Celebration of Life held in his honor for family and friends at noon on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Colony Hall, Indian River Colony Club, Melbourne, Florida, with Pastor Ron Meyr of Faith Viera Lutheran Church officiating. Arrangements by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Homes, Viera, Florida. www.beckmanwilliamsonviera.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the IRCC Foundation, 1936 Freedom Dr., Melbourne, FL 32940 or the charity of the donor’s choice.