Richard Eugene Dible

Richard Eugene Dible, 86, of London, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday, November 6, 2023.  He was born January 24, 1937, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and was the third of six children. Richard enjoyed growing up on a farm in a close-knit family. A significant event that changed the course of his life was contracting polio at age 15, which strongly influenced his beliefs and values around independence and persistence.

Richard became a medical technologist, attending The Ohio State University and Mt. Carmel’s School of Medical Technology. He began his career working at Mt. Carmel Hospital, where he met his beloved wife, Susan, who was also working as a medical technologist. In 1962, he became the first laboratory director at Madison County Hospital and served in this role for 37 years. He highly valued education to improve oneself and increase opportunities in life and the completion of his bachelor’s degree in 1981 at Capitol University was an achievement of which he was very proud. The importance of education extended to teaching microbiology as an adjunct instructor at Columbus State Community College and providing clinical placements for medical laboratory students. Countless students were positively impacted by his teaching and mentorship, and many graduates chose to return to work at Madison County Hospital. He also served on the boards of Madison County Hospital and Loving Care Hospice.

He loved fishing, hunting, boating, camping, snowmobiling, and being outdoors, which led to many wonderful trips across the country and to most national parks. Over twenty summers were spent in Maine, a source of peace and countless positive memories. 

Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years, Susan; children Christine (Michael) Raber, Jeffrey (Michelle) Dible, and Beth Dible and Timothy Rash; grandchildren Trinity Raber, John Dible, Hannah Dible, Connor Rash, Michael (“Mick”) Rash, and Natalie Rash; sisters Mary Alice Niese, Sharon (Donald) Staib, and Barbara (Douglas) DeBolt; brother Allen (Dorothy) Dible; many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous dear friends.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Marie Dible, brother Donald Dible, and infant daughter Delora Dible.

The Dible family expresses their gratitude and deep appreciation for the exceptional care and kindness provided by all the nurses and staff of Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care.

Per Richard’s wishes, he was cremated, and a celebration of life will be held at a later time. Donations in memory of Richard may be made to:

Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care (https://www.ohioshospice.org/give/)

Rotary’s “End Polio Now” campaign (https://www.endpolio.org/donate)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Eugene Dible, please visit our floral store.