Richard Leonard was born in Owen Sound on May 16, 1952 to parents Leonard and Mina (Hager) Unruh. He was the youngest of the two boys, joining older brother Fred (1946). The Unruh family farmed on the 12th of Sullivan and the boys attended nearby S.S. #7 Grimston. Richard then attended Chesley District High School before heading back to the farm to help his parents.
Richard soon settled in to life on the farm helping his dad with the family dairy operation. In their day the Unruh family milked upwards of 80 cows and worked approximately 500 acres. If you were to ask Richard about his favourite task while on the farm it would have to be driving the tractor. Over the years the family owned a variety of equipment which included, the likes of International, Case and John Deere just to name a few. Richard was very close with his parents and he very much enjoyed their company over the years. In later years Richard helped care for his aging parents and therefore allowed all three of them to remain on the farm.
Richard’s faith was very important to him and this virtue was instilled in him from a young age. As a young boy the Unruh family attended church weekly whereby Richard was introduced to Sunday school and eventually Luther League. Throughout his life Richard was at one point or another involved with most committees and activities within St. Peter’s. He regularly enjoyed bible studies and was even involved in the Chesley Ministerial. In recent years, every Sunday meant driving to Chesley to pick up Fred at 9:30 and then off to church. From there they headed south to Hanover to enjoy a McDonald’s coffee together. Richard’s order always included “double cream and a sweetener.”
In his small group of friends, Richard was known as a kind hearted man who enjoyed to socialize. He was a storyteller who loved to talk about the “old days.” Richard enjoyed his time in front of the TV whereby he usually watched the History or Discovery channel. Documentaries were also favourites of his and Richard’s radio dial was always tuned into Country 93.7. He was a meat and potatoes guy who also enjoyed travelling. The family travelled south regularly when the boys were young to visit grandparents in Florida and in later years he enjoyed going West. Richard was also happy just going for a drive, a great way to put in an afternoon.
In 2003, the Unruh’s sold the farm and Richard began the transition into retirement. After a few years off, Richard decided to get back into the work force and he began driving school bus for Wathke Bus Lines. He soon settled into his new residence in Tara and was looking forward to slowing down. Richard’s health however presented it’s fair share of problems over the years and sadly his life was cut short after he suffered a severe Stroke on Friday, January 26, 2018.
He passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in his 66th year.
Loving brother of Fred and his wife Diane of Chesley. Richard will be missed by his niece Trish and nephews Derek and Troy (Michelle Timmerman) and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Leonard and Mina (Hager) Unruh.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Wednesday from 6 – 9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Richard’s life will be held at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sullivan (#682006 Concession 8 – two miles south of Desboro) on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Interment in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Sullivan.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
