Richard Mearl Putt

Richard Mearl "Dick" Putt, 89, was called home to the Lord April 30, 2026. Rich passed peacefully at Danbury Senior Living, Tallmadge, OH after a long period of declining health. Born in Akron, OH to the late Kenneth and Hazel (Bindel) Putt, Rich graduated from Kenmore High School in 1955. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962, which included a tour of duty in France. It was in the army, while stationed at Fort Harrison, Indiana, that Rich met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Rinsch. The couple was married in Indianapolis on January 29, 1966 and moved back home to Akron where they enjoyed 56 years of happiness together until Shirley's passing in 2022.

Rich loved to work with his hands ~ one of his first jobs was repairing typewriters for local businesses. He worked at Royal Typewriter, U.S. Concrete, Diamond Shamrock, Metzger Photo and Goodyear Aerospace/Lockheed Martin in Akron. He loved to draw and paint ~ beautiful slate tiles with cartoon characters were his favorite. His wit, practical jokes, storytelling, sense of humor, his often ornery and feisty spirit, the kindness he showed to everyone he ever crossed paths with, and his endless devotion to Shirley will be forever remembered and cherished.

Besides his parents and Shirley, Rich was preceded into heaven by grandparents Horace Victor and Hazel (Tillett) Putt, beloved twin brother Robert Earl (Bob) Putt, sister-in-law Audrey "Toni" (Pratt) Putt, nephew Jonathan (Jon) Putt , and uncle "Bud" Bindel. He is survived by his sister Diane (Don) Conrad, brother James Putt, sister-in-law Janet Putt, nieces Jennifer (Charles) Smith, Julie Mihuc (Ian Hall), Gennifer and Courteney Conrad, Stephanie (Rich) Gabelman, Jennifer (Aaron) Nash, nephew David Conrad, grand nieces and nephews Michael, Nicholas, Lauren, Max, Lizzie, Joshua, Ashlynn, Ainsley, Luke and Matthew, and Shirley's nieces and nephew ~ Ruth, Jane, Carol and David Rinsch, and many friends.

We're all so blessed for the lessons, love and legacy Rich has left us!

Rich and Shirley were long-time members of Springfield Church of the Brethren, and have been blessed by the love and support of their brothers and sisters in Christ. A special thank you to the staff of Danbury and to Summa Hospice for the love, care and support they have provided to Rich and the family.

Funeral arrangements are by Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd, Akron OH 44305. A memorial service for family and friends celebrating Richard's life will be held at Springfield Church of the Brethren, 3500 Albrecht Ave, Akron OH 44312 on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 11 AM. Visitation will be held at the church at 10 AM prior to service. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Springfield Church of the Brethren.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Rich's name to the church or to a scholarship fund in memory of Rich's nephew Jon Putt with a check made out to Manchester Local Schools and mailed to Todd Lindemann, 6377 Manchester Rd, New Franklin, OH 44216. To leave a special message or memory to the family, please visit the guestbook below.