Richard "Dick" Bohlander

RICHMOND, Ind. – Richard “Dick” Bohlander, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Friends Fellowship Community. Dick was born on February 22, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Louis and Edna Bohlander, and grew up in Connersville, Indiana. He was a 1954 graduate of Connersville High School. Dick earned a BA degree from Hanover College, where he met his wife Jan, the former Janice Sherrow of Richmond. They were married on August 23, 1959, and just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. Dick later earned an MA degree and an Ed.S. (Educational Specialist Degree in Administration) from Ball State University. Dick began his career in 1960 at Marion Township School, a small, rural Jennings County school in southern Indiana. He served as acting principal, social studies teacher, and coach. A highlight of Dicks’s coaching career was having his little, rural basketball team win the County Tourney Championship in 1961. It was the classic story of the less privileged “underdogs” beating the “big guys” from Seymour, Indiana, where he and Jan lived from 1960 to 1962. Dick’s next career move was to Centerville, Indiana, in 1962, where he taught social studies at Centerville Jr. High School before assuming the principalship in 1964. Dick served in that role until 1990 when he became principal at Rose Hamilton Elementary, retiring in 1996. Dick and Jan resided in Centerville for 46 years before moving to Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond after retirement. Dick was very involved in the community. He was one of the founding members of the Centerville Jaycees, a young men’s organization, and held various offices, including serving as president. Upon retiring from this organization, Dick became a JCI Senator. He also held the title of “Outstanding Young Men of America” for two years. Additionally, Dick received the “Outstanding Educator” community award in recognition of his service as a teacher and principal for the Centerville-Abington Community School Corporation. The Bohlander Media Center (Jr./Sr. library) was named in his honor by the Centerville-Abington School Corporation, as well. He was inducted into the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from the governor of the State of Indiana. For several years during his retirement, Dick served as Chairman of the Residents Association at Friends Fellowship Community. He was a member of Centerville Christian Church and was a Friend of The Gideons International. As a principal, Dick was well known and honored for his tireless effort in sending notes, news articles, and letters to students, encouraging and honoring them for their achievements. After retiring, he considered this practice a ministry to others and continued clipping news articles or sending cards to students whose families he knew, along with some he did not know yet wanted to send words of encouragement to, for their achievements. On Dick’s 80th birthday, the Centerville-Abington School Board awarded him a resolution which recognized these efforts on behalf of the corporation, students, and parents whose lives he had touched over the years. This ministry eventually extended to people of his church and at Friends Fellowship Community. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, reading, and owning customized cars. Survivors include his wife, Jan; daughter, Mindy (John) Myers of Centerville; granddaughters, Annie Myers of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Allie Myers of Centerville; brothers, Bruce Bohlander of Greens Fork, Indiana, and John (Joyce) Bohlander of Connersville; niece, Jenni (Cory) Evans of Florida; nephews, Jason (Nancy) Bohlander and Jacob (Sara) Bohlander, both of Connersville; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and special friend and fishing buddy, Myron Hopkins, who was a former teacher at Centerville Schools. The family would like to thank the staff of Friends Fellowship Community and Reid Hospice, including Tonya, Rick, Brittany, and Greg, for their compassionate care. Visitation for Richard “Dick” Bohlander will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 27, 2021, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Dollars for Scholars for the Richard L. Bohlander Memorial Scholarship for Teacher Education, c/o Centerville High School, 507 Willow Grove Road, Centerville, IN 47330; Centerville Christan Church, 111 North Morton Avenue, Centerville, IN 47330; or Friends Fellowship Community Endowment Fund, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Richard "Dick" Bohlander

February 22, 1936 - August 25, 2021