Dr. Richard A. Dilling

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

He was born on July 30, 1940, in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania to Janet Joan (Clapper) Dilling and John Ealor Dilling Jr.  He earned his B.S. in Physics and Math, at Shippensburg State College; M.S. in Physics, from Purdue University; Ph.D. 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, Indiana.  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 August 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 3 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 McDonalds.  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, IN); daughter, Dawn D. (Tim) Halbakken (Ostrander, OH); two sons, John M. (Jessica) Dilling (South Bend, IN); Richard A. (Katie) Barnhill-Dilling (Durham, NC); and five grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Donna Kay Karickhoff (Blacksburg, VA); Suzanne Jean (Mike) Gray (Wabash, IN); and three brothers, Joseph E. (Judy) Dilling (Roaring Spring, PA); Thomas E. Dilling (South Whitley, IN); David L. (Joy) Dilling (Warsaw, IN).  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 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana 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 towards The Athletic Dept.; or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN  46590. 

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