Richard A. Hepp's Obituary
Richard Allen Hepp, AKA, Dick, Dicky, Rich, and Rick, was born in Tiffin, Ohio. He lived in Tiffin, Ohio until the age of 12 and then moved to North Olmsted with his mother, Alora, his father, Richard F. and his sister, Alora. His older brothers, Fred and Tom, remained in Tiffin.
After graduating from North Olmsted High School in 1965 he joined the Navy. He was assigned to aircraft carriers, where he worked on jets that flew missions over Vietnam. In April of 1970, after two World tours and deployment off the coast of Vietnam, Richard completed 4 years in the Navy. He met his wife, Joanne, the summer before his last year in the Navy. Richard and Joanne were married in November of 1970, and were fortunate to have two wonderful children, Tracy and Rick.
Richard became a tool and die apprentice at Modern Tool and Die in 1970. In 1977 he took a job at Ford Motor Company as a tool and die maker. His first vacation as a Ford worker was taking his family to Walt Disney World, which was a nice change from their previous camping and boating vacations at East Harbor.
Richard retired from Ford after 30 years and spent his time working as a school bus driver, at Ace Hardware, and as an usher for the Cleveland Indians. He loved to spend time with his 4 grandchildren, telling them stories about when he was little, teaching them to play checkers and poker, how to shoot a BB gun, and attending endless volleyball games, baseball games, swimming meets, and robotics competitions.
After retiring from the Cleveland Indians, Richard joined “the guys at the wood shop” at the Bay Village Wood Shop. He made so many useful and beautiful wood projects. So beautiful that more times than not, people said “Dicky made that?!”. Richard went to the wood shop like it was his job, until the city closed it down in August of 2024.
Richard was blessed with the gift of gab and the ability to make friends easily, which turned into lasting friendships. He loved animals and had many animals throughout his life – a squirrel, a crow, dogs, cats, and parakeets. He would even make the Sign of the Cross to bless each dead animal that he would see on the side of the road while driving.
Richard is survived by his wife Joanne (nee. Muhic), his children Tracy (Matthew) Polak and Rick Hepp; his grandchildren Ashton Polak, Avery Polak, Savanna Hepp, and Karlo Hepp; his sister Alora Daniels; his sister-in-law Suzette Hepp; his four nieces and six nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his brothers Fred Hepp, Thomas Hepp, and his sister-in-law Nina Hepp.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Heart Association.
http://www.heart.org
A visitation will be held on Friday September 12th, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday September 13th, 2025, at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity in Avon. 33601 Detroit Rd, Avon, OH 44011
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?
