Richard Dale Drouhard

Richard "Dick" Drouhard, 76, died after a long illness on January 16, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. He was surrounded by his family with love and care in his final days.
Dick was born January 24, 1948, to Robert D. and Anna (Coe) Drouhard. Dick was raised in Kenmore with his 4 siblings. He was always a hard worker. Some of his notable jobs included picking strawberries for 5 cents a quart, delivering the Akron Beacon Journal after school, and working at a car wash, coming home with frozen pants. Dick worked at the Kenmore Freeze where he set up the ice cream machines in the morning and in the winter, he sold Christmas trees in their parking lot.
Dick graduated from Kenmore High School in 1966 and soon heard "Uncle Sam Wants You". Receiving his draft notice he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, first going to Fort Knox, Kentucky and then on to Fort Gordon, Georgia where he trained for radio repair at the U.S.
Southeastern Signal School. He was recognized as an Honor Graduate after achieving the highest academic average of his class. On the 6th of July 1968 he reported to the 5th LEM Co. R.V.N. at Long Binh Air Force Base. He served in 4 campaigns including the TET of 1969. He received a Bronze Star for meritorious service against a hostile force. He carried a souvenir in his body (Agent Orange) that would impact his health in his later years.
After Discharge Dick worked many jobs but the times were not kind to Veterans. Eventually he settled at Flohr Machine Co. and stayed for 40+ years. He became a skilled machinist and eventually a partner with his father-in-law, brothers-in-law and his son.
After retiring, he cared for his mother and his brother and many of his grandchildren.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, brother-in-law Richard Warren and his nephew Brian Warren. He is survived by his siblings Coleen Warren, Beverly (Gary) Mrozek, and Jeffrey (Amy) Drouhard. He leaves his wife of 46 years and 3 days, Ruth (Flohr). He was very proud of his 8 children: Emily (Alexander) Mogen, Richard (Amanda), Grace (Jeffrey) Fillmore, Dorothy (Joseph) Divoky, Peter, Judith, Amanda (James) Cardella and Mary (Kyle) Crider.
Grandchildren were the joy of his life: Zoe, Lucy, Richard, Cecelia and Henry Drouhard, Genevieve and Danielle Divoky, Abigail Mogen, Walter, Charlotte and Emily Cardella, and Jane and Lawrence Crider.
Although he grumbled about it, he made numerous trips to the North Pole on the Polar Express and participated in every Grandma Camp. While he never allowed his own children to control the TV, his grandchildren would hand their Papa the remote and he would gladly turn to their favorite cartoons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Educate the Congo Project, Inc. to be used for maternity services at St. Joseph Community Hospital of Boma, Democratic Republic of The Congo. PO Box 116, Munroe Falls, OH 44262 or the Salvation Army of Summit Co. 190 South Maple St. Akron, Ohio 44302.