Richard "Dick" A. Sadler's Obituary
Richard “Dick” A. Sadler, 96, passed away May 8, 2022. Beloved husband of 55 years to the late Eileen (nee Malone) Sadler. Loving father of Marcy Foth (Rick), Rich Sadler (Bonnie), Laurie Sadler (Alexander Szilvas). Son of the late Adolf and Cecelia Sadler. Dear grandfather of Amber Malkus (Todd), Brandon Foth (Marielle), Julia Szilvas, Jordan Sadler, Alexis Szilvas, Angela Szilvas, Elijah Sadler and Christine Foth (Bob). Special daughter, Debbie Kovesday. He had a special friend in Mike Clock. U.S. Navy Veteran.
And we love you so…Richard A. Sadler Little did anyone know that a little boy born in Cleveland on August 9th 1925 would not only live to see nearly an entire century, but also to live his life as an exemplary husband and father. He was born to a family of German descent that settled in a modest home on Storer Avenue. He was the youngest of four children born to Adolph and Cecelia Sadler. His parents and siblings have preceded him in Heavenly rest.
Despite his long life, accounts of his childhood and formative years are but a few. He attended Catholic school and feared the nuns. By all accounts, our dad was a great athlete and especially loved baseball, frequently playing in the alleys adjacent to his home, and with his friends at Brookside Park. Dad told stories about how he would carry his rifle and ammunition on the streetcar to school and put it in his locker, for the “shooting club”. For added adventure, Dad would ride his bike 20 miles from his home in Cleveland to the airport to watch and photograph the planes he loved so much. His love for airplanes and flying would inform much of his spare time for his entire life. He did have a mischievous side as well. One particularly funny story he always told us was a time that he shot off a bottle rocket in the alley behind his home- and as timing would have it- just as a police cruiser on patrol drove into the alley. The bottle rocket came back to earth and landed right in front of the cruiser and the policeman and dad had an interesting discussion!
Upon high school graduation from West Tech in 1943, he was drafted and served in the Navy until World War II ended. Although he saw no active combat, he traveled the Pacific servicing destroyers that suffered navigation failures or other mechanical issues. During these endeavors, it was not uncommon for him to traverse himself between ships over thin, single rope lines, sometimes perilously dangling like a tightrope walker over more than twenty-foot waves; He was justifiably terrified! Fortunately, for him and us, the war ended as he steamed toward Japan on a ship designated for the invasion of Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to the near west side and worked with his father as a bricklayer assistant. Unbeknownst to him, he was noticed on several occasions by our mother and grandmother as he sat in his pew at Blessed Sacrament Church. Our mother was particularly struck by his tanned neckline (probably from his outdoor work as a bricklayer) and starched white collared shirt. He ultimately had to receive the blessing of our mother’s many ‘boyfriends’ and the endorsement of our grandmother to marry our mother, Eileen Malone. Eileen was the beautiful Homecoming Queen from Lincoln West High. They were married in September of 1948 and shared 56 years together, surely with wonderful and beautiful memories. In the 1950’s, shortly after the birth of their first child, Marcy, mom, dad and little Marcy moved to southern California mainly at my mom’s impetus to pursue a singing career for dad. At that time Lawrence Welk had a radio show that was broadcast from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. At the end of the famous pier was a big tent that housed a full orchestra, the singers and many dancing couples. On one of the radio shows, Dad sang the song “Blue Moon” and was invited back by an impressed Lawrence Welk. Mr. Welk just could not get him to sign a contract! Apparently, he suffered severe stage fright which hindered his singing aspirations. During the same mid 50’s timeframe, Dad and some other family members opened a diner in Burbank California. Today the land where the diner sat is now the home of Burbank Studios where Johnny Carson was filmed. While living in California, their second child Richard was born. Unfortunately, our mother’s health suffered during their years in California and Mom really wanted to move back to Ohio. When she became pregnant with their youngest, Laurie, our dad promised my mother a return to Cleveland, a move he never let the youngest child forget! The family, Dad, Mom Marcy, Rich and newborn Laurie began a new journey in Brookpark, Ohio. Dad then began an engineering career that would last for 30 years until he retired from Dow Chemical in 1991. Our memories begin with the sounds of his beautiful voice. He was always singing or humming something. A particular favorite singer of his was Perry Como. Marcy would hear dad’s version of “Catch A Falling Star” that was a big hit for Perry Como when she was little. Laurie and Rich were the recipients of assorted lullabies and “Doo Be Doo Be Doo’s.” We can’t forget our mom and her Irish Lullabies…Mom was not blessed as a singer, but we loved to hear her sing too! Our brother Rich had the good fortune of inheriting dad’s love of singing and carries on the sound of Dad’s voice now. Our bedtime was doubly special because of “Irving”. Dad created the bedtime story of “Irving the Tailless Fish”. In the story, Irving was always late to school due to his inability to keep up with the other fish. Irving’s dad constructed a tail that Irving was missing. The new tail made Irving faster than any other fish in the sea and he was never late to school again! We cherish this story and have passed it on to our children. Many years later “Irving” was put into print and was illustrated by his granddaughter Amber. One day maybe it will be published.
As we reflect on so many things…the “Diner Experience in Burbank” came in real handy for us kids, because Dad could turn a sandwich into a gourmet meal! We were the recipients of the best school lunches and we all talked about his famous breakfast eggs and bacon! We don’t want to forget our mom though…she was truly an awesome cook! Dad was just better at sandwiches and breakfast.
We remember the countless hours of playing catch with either the football or baseball during evenings after the workday or on the weekends. No matter how tired he may have been, dad always summoned up the energy to play with us. Dad even played catch with us at the ripe old age of 94…He loved it as much as we did.
One of our favorite weekend excursions with dad was a trip to the airport. We would lay a blanket down on the hood of the car and for hours on end watch the planes take off and land. He would teach us to identify the airplanes by their wing and engine location.
There were so many other memorable activities with dad that come to mind as kids, often initiated to give mom a break. We remember hikes and tobogganing in the Metroparks, going to Indians games, and visiting Parma bakery for salami, rye bread and Danish and consuming them on the way back home. There were countless trips to animal shelters to rescue stray dogs, what seemed like endless hours in the yard doing projects and a whole host of school projects that dad willingly assisted. His expertise in so many areas made his services vital, not only for us but also as the next generation, our children, sought him out for advice and tutelage. Cherished memories of such projects frequently come up in conversation to this day.
Dad also loved to dance with Mom. We remember them slow dancing together at weddings, in our family living room, and at parties to a record playing on the stereo. In Dad’s later years you would find him on the dance floor in his favorite jeans showing off his style and rhythm. Teaching his daughters to “four step” so he could dance with us at our weddings was not easy …but time well spent.
Just a few more memories to share…
Dad’s love of flying continued throughout his life, and he would seek opportunities to fly with pilots he knew or met through the years. If dad could be in the air, he was in his element. Over the past twenty years, he was able to fly with a variety of flight companies, such as Top Gun, who specialized in providing usually retired military or commercial pilots and vintage military planes for avid airplane enthusiasts to get the true exhilaration of flight. We would watch in awe from the ground as the plane barrel rolled and performed incredible acrobatics in the blue sky high above us. He did not want the rides to stop. He also loved the serene nature of gliding and the higher the thermals took him – the better. He wanted so badly to get well for one more gliding trip. But now we can only imagine him flying as we look to that blue-sky finding peace, and knowing he is up there looking down on us all, continuing to guide us, treasure us, and make us better people as he was the best. And now as we now go through his belongings, we have our work cut out for us as there are seemingly hundreds of items he accumulated over the years. Dad collected anything and everything “just in case it was needed in the future” to fix something. And he was right. He knew where everything was, every nail, tack, tape, screwdriver – a jack of all trades and a master at all! We would be remiss if this was not documented… It is impossible to convey how dad took care of mom with utter selflessness. Our mom struggled mightily with her health for many years. He was her rock and his caring was powered by the truest of love and devotion for her. “In sickness and in health” held no boundaries for dad. It was an amazing example he set for us.
Since mom’s passing, dad took a keen interest in studying how to age well. He started taking supplements when taking such supplements was not yet in vogue. He undoubtedly prolonged his life by staying active and as recently as a decade ago was frequenting a gym with a personal trainer. During this time between his mid 80’s and early 90’s, he was known to plank for incredible periods of time, even planking in the doctor’s office on a whim! He was a character and enjoyed showing off his planks!
Our Dad graced this earth with kindness and humbleness for 96 years and 9 months with a love and passion for his family that had no boundaries. Everyone who met dad just loved him.
Dad would often ask what were his own accomplishments? What more can a man do than to instill his unwavering values in his three children,and to inspire us to instill the same in our children? He was proud and content knowing he had the best grandchildren, Amber, Brandon, Julia, Lexi, Angela, Jordan, Elijah and Christine. He stood proudly by each one’s accomplishments from sporting events to school musicals, to graduations and even a few weddings. He also embraced Todd, Marielle, Chris and Bob as “Grand-daughters and Grand- sons” in law. Dad loved our spouses Rick, Alex and Bonnie with all his heart. They loved Dad as their own, and Dad loved them as his own. Throughout the years they each had their own special connection…. Rick and Dad’s gravy making, Alex and Dad’s sport connection, and Bonnie’s love and ever-present smile…not to mention her painting and stenciling. In this past year as Dad’s health declined, they blessed us with amazing love and support. We are so blessed to have them. As life comes full circle, it was our turn this past year to make meals, to tuck him in bed, and kiss him goodnight. It was beyond our pleasure and honor to return the care, love and passion. To give back to a man whose life touched and positively impacted us and so many others over the years. We love you Dad…We love you Papa. We miss you so much already! But we know that you are in heaven and will always be with us, not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year but ALWAYS!
VISITATION THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022 6-8PM with prayers and a time of reflection to begin at 7:30PM at Jardine Funeral Home, 15822 Pearl Rd, Strongsville OH 44136. A family burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SW Hospice Fund, 18659 Drake Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136 or Honor Flight, Box L-4016 Columbus, OH 43260-4016.
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