Richard Olinger
January 14, 1943 — January 9, 2013
Nolan "Richard" Olinger, 69, of Toddville, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at his home from complications of Leukemia and Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Visitation: 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Funeral: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 14, at the funeral home by Pastor Rick Gail. Burial will take place at Dunkard Cemetery in Toddville, with military honors.
Richard was born on January 14, 1943 in Artesia, California to Theodore Jay “T.J.” and Dorothy Mildred (McCreary) Olinger. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to Toddville, where Richard attended school, and graduated from Alburnett High School in 1961. He worked for his father building homes at Olinger Construction, and in 1964 enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, a fellow soldier suggested that he become pen-pals with a young woman named Dianne L. Hartwick from Greenock, PA. Richard visited Dianne while on leave to the states, and following his military service, moved to the Pittsburgh area to be near to her. He worked for Cummins Diesel as a mechanic during their engagement, and on August 31, 1968, they were married at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenock. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids where Richard worked for FMC Link Belt as a welder. In 1975, together with family, they built a house in the Toddville area, where they raised their 4 sons. In the early 1980’s, Richard worked as a technician for Teleconnect, which later became MCI. Traveling across the country, he became a nationally known field engineer installing data/voice communication circuits. In 1994, Richard attained his life-long dream of owning and operating his own business: Communications Solutions. He cherished the lasting friendships that he made with his employees and customers over the years.
Richard was fortunate to have been able to travel with Dianne all over the United States (including Hawaii) and Europe. Their year was never complete without an annual family fishing trip to Minnesota, a winter run to Florida, and Caribbean cruises. Richard was proud to have served 9 years on the Alburnett Community School Board and was a member of American Legion Post #674 of Toddville.
Richard was a perfectionist at anything that he did and was a patriot at heart. He loved Minnesota fishing, deer hunting with his family, traveling with Dianne and friends, listening to country music and the Sunday Morning Czech Polka Party, spending time in his shop with his dog (where it was always 5:00), drinking beer, woodworking, welding, and cooking incredible dishes. His gift for making people happy with a cold drink and good food was second to none. Richard was deemed the “teaser” of the family and always injected his unique flavor of humor into any situation he could. He was famous for his sarcasm and for letting his opinion be known, but will be best remembered for his big heart. Richard was a great storyteller and enjoyed making any project a learning opportunity. Known affectionately as “Fred Sanford” by his sons, Richard had an affinity for never throwing anything away. He was a wonderful husband, a very proud father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Dianne; his sons, Michael (Corina Pudil Merritt) Olinger of Marion, Scott (Courtenay) Olinger of Mt. Vernon, Eric (Sally) Olinger of Blue Mound, WI, and Matt (Sasha) Olinger of Toddville; his grandchildren, Zachary, Forrest, Huey, Maxwell, Reece, Milo, Violet, Juliet, Willa, Wyatt, Clyde, Kyra, and Jenna; two brothers, Theodore (Doris) Olinger of Toddville, and Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, MN; two sisters, Virginia (Charles) Beaner of Marion, and Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello; a special nephew, David (Madelyn) Beaner of Marion; his canine companion, Millie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genevieve Evelyn Olinger; and his in-laws, Harry T. and Hazel (Wunderly) Hartwick, Jr.
Memorials in Richard’s memory can be directed to the family.
Richard was born on January 14, 1943 in Artesia, California to Theodore Jay “T.J.” and Dorothy Mildred (McCreary) Olinger. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to Toddville, where Richard attended school, and graduated from Alburnett High School in 1961. He worked for his father building homes at Olinger Construction, and in 1964 enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, a fellow soldier suggested that he become pen-pals with a young woman named Dianne L. Hartwick from Greenock, PA. Richard visited Dianne while on leave to the states, and following his military service, moved to the Pittsburgh area to be near to her. He worked for Cummins Diesel as a mechanic during their engagement, and on August 31, 1968, they were married at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenock. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids where Richard worked for FMC Link Belt as a welder. In 1975, together with family, they built a house in the Toddville area, where they raised their 4 sons. In the early 1980’s, Richard worked as a technician for Teleconnect, which later became MCI. Traveling across the country, he became a nationally known field engineer installing data/voice communication circuits. In 1994, Richard attained his life-long dream of owning and operating his own business: Communications Solutions. He cherished the lasting friendships that he made with his employees and customers over the years.
Richard was fortunate to have been able to travel with Dianne all over the United States (including Hawaii) and Europe. Their year was never complete without an annual family fishing trip to Minnesota, a winter run to Florida, and Caribbean cruises. Richard was proud to have served 9 years on the Alburnett Community School Board and was a member of American Legion Post #674 of Toddville.
Richard was a perfectionist at anything that he did and was a patriot at heart. He loved Minnesota fishing, deer hunting with his family, traveling with Dianne and friends, listening to country music and the Sunday Morning Czech Polka Party, spending time in his shop with his dog (where it was always 5:00), drinking beer, woodworking, welding, and cooking incredible dishes. His gift for making people happy with a cold drink and good food was second to none. Richard was deemed the “teaser” of the family and always injected his unique flavor of humor into any situation he could. He was famous for his sarcasm and for letting his opinion be known, but will be best remembered for his big heart. Richard was a great storyteller and enjoyed making any project a learning opportunity. Known affectionately as “Fred Sanford” by his sons, Richard had an affinity for never throwing anything away. He was a wonderful husband, a very proud father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Dianne; his sons, Michael (Corina Pudil Merritt) Olinger of Marion, Scott (Courtenay) Olinger of Mt. Vernon, Eric (Sally) Olinger of Blue Mound, WI, and Matt (Sasha) Olinger of Toddville; his grandchildren, Zachary, Forrest, Huey, Maxwell, Reece, Milo, Violet, Juliet, Willa, Wyatt, Clyde, Kyra, and Jenna; two brothers, Theodore (Doris) Olinger of Toddville, and Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, MN; two sisters, Virginia (Charles) Beaner of Marion, and Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello; a special nephew, David (Madelyn) Beaner of Marion; his canine companion, Millie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genevieve Evelyn Olinger; and his in-laws, Harry T. and Hazel (Wunderly) Hartwick, Jr.
Memorials in Richard’s memory can be directed to the family.
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