Richard D. Fry

After a brief battle with cancer, Richard “Dick” Fry aka “Wild Turkey” aka “Mr. R.D. Fry” aka “Pinky” went home to the Lord on Sunday, January 28th at the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin.  Dick was born in Royal Center, Indiana on August 28, 1938 to Harvey and Ruth (Nickels) Fry.  He was the youngest of five siblings, and the apple of his father’s eye.  He attended Royal Center High School, where he excelled at basketball, track and field, softball, and stealing watermelons out of neighbors’ yards.

Dick chose to enter the United States Navy on October 22 1956.   He was a machinist on a large ship.  He sailed around the world, having colorful adventures and collecting several tattoos until he was honorably discharged in July, 1962.  He was proud of his Navy career, never missing an opportunity to let people know that the Navy was the far superior branch of service.

Dick lived many places over his 79 years, but the majority of his adult life was spent in Logansport, Indiana.  Although he dabbled in different careers after the Navy, he is best known for being a trucker.  There isn’t a truck stop between here and California that Dick didn’t know and love.  Many a Christmas present was bought on the highway, and many of his closest friends were fellow truckers.

Later in life, Dick found politics and a love of the Democratic party.  He was elected  Democratic Chair of Cass County and served the community for several years.  He was a passionate advocate for the Liberal party, and prominently displayed his Christmas card from Bill Clinton in the center of his living room.

Dick was a state champion horse-shoe pitcher.  He enjoyed golf, bowling, and was a die-hard IU basketball fan.  The only subject Dick enjoyed more than how the Hoosiers were doing was his family.  This giant of a man had an equally giant soft side.  He was a beautiful penman and a sentimental person who was mentored for life by his sisters Renee and Loa.  He loved his children Richard Allen Fry (Patricia), Sheri Renee Rist (Brian Talbert), Stacey Leigh Hummel (Rich) and Jennifer Brooke Decker (Jeremy).  He was fiercely proud of his grandchildren Matthew, Jenna, Shane, Adam, Harrison and Cameron.

Dick was a Navy man, a trucker, a politician, and a proud long-time member of the Royal Center Masonic Lodge.  He was a loving father, a doting grandfather, a wonderful brother, and a true friend.  Dick never knew a stranger, would do anything for anyone, and always kept his word.

Dick is also survived by one sister, Loa (Jack) Baer of Valparaiso, Indiana.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Faye “Red (Helen) Thompson, and sisters Ann Kroeger (John) and Janice “Renee” Smith (Jim).

Dick’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Indiana Masonic Home 1 E Wing for the excellent care he received in the last year.  All of the nurses and techs, including Janice, Pam, Shayla, Jordan, and Jessica, Joe the Barber, and the transportation staff made him feel at home and cared for him like he was a member of their own families.  We are forever grateful for the compassion you showed our family.   We would also like to thank the Richard A Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Oncology clinic including Dr. Schmitt and the Pallative Care team for giving us more time with our dad.  Thank you for the excellent and compassionate care he received.

Services for Dick will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Marocco-Rans Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ken Smith officiating.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2018 at the funeral home where there will also be a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m.

Burial with Military Rites will be conducted at the Royal Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard A. Roudebush VA Medical Center and/or the Indiana Masonic Home.