1918
James
2007
James Richcreek
June 18, 1918 — April 16, 2007
Dr. James M. Richcreek, 88, of Ashland, died unexpectantly of pneumonia on Monday, April 16, 2007, at Brethren Care Nursing Center in Ashland.
Jim was born June 18, 1918 in Warsaw, Indiana to Rex and Hazel (Banghart) Richcreek.
He was a member of the Park Street Brethren Church where he taught Sunday school while a student at Ashland College. ?He graduated from Nappanee High School in Indiana in 1936 and from Ashland College with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1941. ?He received a Masters degree from Ohio State University in 1948 and a Doctor of Education degree from The University of Nebraska in 1958. ?
During World War II, Jim served 5 years in the Army Ordnance Dept. at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and in the Philippine Islands. ?While at Aberdeen, Jim was appointed to take a drill team to give a demonstration at a meeting of high-ranking officers in Washington, DC. ?He was also appointed to the aide of General Hubner. ?While serving in the Philippines, he gave a speech at a Celebration Day Program in Manila. ?At the time of his discharge, Jim held the rank of Major.
Dr. Richcreek's 32-year college and university teaching career started in 1946 at Ashland College as head basketball coach, track coach and assistant football coach. ?He also taught at The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, graduate assistant at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln, head of the Physical Education Dept. at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, taught graduate courses at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, and was head of the Dept. of Physical Education at Edinboro State in Pennsylvania. ?Jim finished his teaching career at Ashland University as Chair of the Psychology Dept. and Director of the Division of Social Sciences. ?Jim retired in 1978. ?His biography appears in Who?s Who In America.
Jim was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. ?For three years in college, he was an All-Ohio basketball player. ?After serving in the military, he was offered a professional basketball contract by the Youngstown Bears that are now known as the Washington Wizards.
Jim was a charter member of the Elkhart County Indiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Sports Hall of Fame at Ashland University, and the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame. ?Jim enjoyed playing basketball for the Faultless Rubber Company and pitching baseball for the Shelby Blues.
On September 6, 1942, Jim married Marilyn Carpenter who survives. ?Also surviving: sister Marguerite Umbaugh of Gosben, Indiana, sister-in-law June Davis of Ashland, nephew Kris Davis of Indianapolis, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sister Maxine Crowe, niece Marilyn Loucks, cousin Gerald (Quincy) Banghart, and nephews Tom Davis and Chad Davis.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2007, at Roberts Funeral Home, 1058 US Route 250 West, Ashland. Senior Pastor Arden Gilmer of Park Street Brethren Church and Dr. Fred Finks, President of Ashland University will officiate. ?US Army Active Duty will perform Military Rites. There will be no calling hours. The family requests that contributions be made to the Dr. James & Marilyn Richcreek Scholarship Fund at Ashland University, or to Park Street Brethren Church, or to Brethren Care Village.
Jim was born June 18, 1918 in Warsaw, Indiana to Rex and Hazel (Banghart) Richcreek.
He was a member of the Park Street Brethren Church where he taught Sunday school while a student at Ashland College. ?He graduated from Nappanee High School in Indiana in 1936 and from Ashland College with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1941. ?He received a Masters degree from Ohio State University in 1948 and a Doctor of Education degree from The University of Nebraska in 1958. ?
During World War II, Jim served 5 years in the Army Ordnance Dept. at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and in the Philippine Islands. ?While at Aberdeen, Jim was appointed to take a drill team to give a demonstration at a meeting of high-ranking officers in Washington, DC. ?He was also appointed to the aide of General Hubner. ?While serving in the Philippines, he gave a speech at a Celebration Day Program in Manila. ?At the time of his discharge, Jim held the rank of Major.
Dr. Richcreek's 32-year college and university teaching career started in 1946 at Ashland College as head basketball coach, track coach and assistant football coach. ?He also taught at The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, graduate assistant at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln, head of the Physical Education Dept. at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, taught graduate courses at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, and was head of the Dept. of Physical Education at Edinboro State in Pennsylvania. ?Jim finished his teaching career at Ashland University as Chair of the Psychology Dept. and Director of the Division of Social Sciences. ?Jim retired in 1978. ?His biography appears in Who?s Who In America.
Jim was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. ?For three years in college, he was an All-Ohio basketball player. ?After serving in the military, he was offered a professional basketball contract by the Youngstown Bears that are now known as the Washington Wizards.
Jim was a charter member of the Elkhart County Indiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Sports Hall of Fame at Ashland University, and the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame. ?Jim enjoyed playing basketball for the Faultless Rubber Company and pitching baseball for the Shelby Blues.
On September 6, 1942, Jim married Marilyn Carpenter who survives. ?Also surviving: sister Marguerite Umbaugh of Gosben, Indiana, sister-in-law June Davis of Ashland, nephew Kris Davis of Indianapolis, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sister Maxine Crowe, niece Marilyn Loucks, cousin Gerald (Quincy) Banghart, and nephews Tom Davis and Chad Davis.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2007, at Roberts Funeral Home, 1058 US Route 250 West, Ashland. Senior Pastor Arden Gilmer of Park Street Brethren Church and Dr. Fred Finks, President of Ashland University will officiate. ?US Army Active Duty will perform Military Rites. There will be no calling hours. The family requests that contributions be made to the Dr. James & Marilyn Richcreek Scholarship Fund at Ashland University, or to Park Street Brethren Church, or to Brethren Care Village.
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