Richard Eugene Belcher, 87, passed away at his home on March 30, 2022. This followed a courageous and inspiring battle with ALS.
He was born April 20, 1934 in Kewanna, Indiana. The son of William and Margaret Belcher, he is survived by three children, Daniel (Jenny) Belcher MD, Indianapolis, Cynthia Maves Esq., Columbus, OH, and Nancy (David) Gruesser, Zionsville; 7 grandchildren: William Belcher, Clare Maves, Rachel Maves, Nicole Gruesser, Erica Gruesser, Luke Belcher, and Grace Belcher.
Preceding Dick in death are his wife Suzanne, brother Mickey, granddaughter Katherine Jane Belcher, and his parents.
Dick graduated from Rochester High School in 1952, and Purdue University in 1956 with a degree in agricultural economics. While at Purdue he was senior manager of the 1955 football team, editor of the Purdue Agriculturist, and president of the Gimlet honorary. At Purdue he met Suzanne. They were married on August 11, 1957 and had 57 great years together. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
Dick served with the US Army 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper and an officer. He and Suzanne founded First Federal Savings Bank in 1966, where he served as CEO until his death. First Federal was the first savings and loan in Indiana to convert to stock and had one of the first drive up bank windows in northern Indiana. Dick led the construction of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified bank branch in Indiana.
Dick served as President of the Indiana Savings and Loan League and served on the board of Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. He was past president of Rochester Kiwanis Club. Dick won the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award twice, once with Suzanne. He served on Rochester Telephone Company Board for 37 years, the Woodlawn Hospital Board of Trustees for 12 years. He was awarded the Northern Indiana Financial Entrepreneur of the Year. Dick and Suzanne won the Purdue University President’s Council Pinnacle Award conveyed by Purdue President Mitch Daniels. He also served on the Fulton County Community Foundation board and the Board of Trustees of Ivy Tech, Kokomo.
Suzanne and Dick believed it was important to give back to their community. They supported the Fulton County Parks, Fulton County Foundation, 4-H, and many other organizations. They also established the chair for Environmental Sustainability in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. Suzanne and Dick established an annual scholarship for a Fulton County student enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Purdue. They also established scholarships for students at Ancilla College and Ivy Tech College.
An avid runner and bicyclist, he ran his first of six marathons when he was 50 years old.
One of Dick’s favorite sayings was “leave everything a little better than you found it.”
Dick shared some important people in his life who have made a big difference:
Dad – he taught me a work ethic
Mom – expected me to be a Christian and know the value of money
Suzanne – my wife for 57 years; she always supported and encouraged me
Harry Ray, RHS teacher – he encouraged me to attend Purdue University
Joe Hasler, college roommate – best man in our wedding; gave me idea of starting a bank
Purdue University – for the inspiration the university gave me to use my God-given talent
Our kids and grandkids
First Federal family – for all the support the past 56 years
A celebration of the life of Mr. Richard E. Belcher will be at 11:00 AM EST Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Grace United Methodist Church, 201 West 7th Street, Rochester, with a time to greet his family an hour prior to services.
Pastor Kurt Nichols will officiate.
Friends may visit with his family from 3:00 – 8:00 PM EST, Tuesday, April 5, 2022 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester.
Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Fulton County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the United States Army Honors Team at the IOOF Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers charitable contributions are welcome to be made to the Belcher Foundation at the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 E. 9th Street in Rochester.
