Richard Frey

Richard Earl Frey, 87, of Gnadenhutten, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at his residence.

Born on Fair Avenue in New Philadelphia on May 21, 1931, Dick was a son of the late Walter and Zella Miller Frey.

A 1949 Graduate of the former Gnadenhutten High School, Dick was a track stand out where he won first and second place in the long jump and high jump at the county track meet his senior year. In 1954, Dick was drafted into the United States Army and assigned to the Signal Corps where he served as a clerk. During his 18 months of service, Dick was stationed in Ansbach, Germany where he met and fell in love with Ingeborg Huber. The couple married on August 14, 1957 and shared in 53 years of marriage prior to her passing on June 19, 2011.

For nearly four decades, Dick worked as a supply clerk with Warner-Swasey/Gradall Company at New Philadelphia and retired in 1996. Dick was a passionate hobby farmer who enjoyed working the 160-acre family farm in Fry’s Valley. Dick was also an active member of the River Valley Antique Tractor Pullers Association. Through the years, he amassed countless awards for his keen ability to read the track just right and pull off big wins with his restored 1945 Allis Chalmers WC tractor. Dick was a longtime member of Fry’s Valley Moravian Church and enjoyed bowling, watching college basketball, the Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers.

He will be greatly missed by his children, David (Karen) Frey of Gnadenhutten and Debra (Joe) Gray of Fry’s Valley; his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Opa” or “Papa”; Morgan Frey, Jordan (fiancée, Katie Cunningham) Frey; Cody (Sara) Gray, Eric Gray and Taylor Gray; four great-grandchildren, Parker Cunningham, Alayna Frey, Owen Gray, and Leah Gray; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Dick was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Gretta) Frey.

The family will greet guests on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 5-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Dick’s life will be led by Pastor Christine Johnson on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in Fry’s Valley Cemetery. All are invited to a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home following services.

Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be directed to Fry’s Valley Moravian Church, 594 Frys Valley Road SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.