Richard D. "Dick" Douthitt

Richard D. “Dick” Douthitt, 92, of Dover, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. Born November 18, 1933, he was a 1953 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and a member of First Christian Church in Dover.

Dick retired in 1996 from Joy Manufacturing after more than 43 years of dedicated service as a tool and die machinist. His mechanical ability extended well beyond his career. He could build or repair just about anything and was known for overhauling engines and transmissions on his own cars and boats. At the age of 27, Dick and his grandfather built the home where he would live for the rest of his life. Using lumber salvaged from an abandoned church that Dick helped tear down, they built the house themselves, with Dick taking on everything from the framing and masonry to the plumbing, electrical work and roofing. It was a lasting testament to his craftsmanship, resourcefulness and determination.

Sports were another important part of Dick’s life. He believed the lessons learned through athletics had helped shape him as a young man, and he encouraged his children and grandchildren to participate fully. A longtime and active member of the YMCA, Dick coached girls’ gymnastics and boys’ church league basketball for many years. He also coached summer league baseball for Dover High School. His dedication to the YMCA and to the young people it served was recognized in 1998 when he received the Leo Poland Award. When he wasn’t coaching or watching sports, Dick loved being on the water. Boating on Lake Erie became one of his greatest passions, and nearly every weekend during boating season he could be found there with his family aboard his beloved 43-foot 1962 Richardson motor yacht, the Gumdrop II. Those weekends together on Lake Erie created some of the family’s most cherished memories. Dick was also a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes fan who truly bled scarlet and gray. Saturdays in the fall were reserved for Buckeye football, and he passed that enthusiasm on to generations of his family. Above all, Dick loved his family deeply. He took tremendous pride in his children and grandchildren and was especially proud of all their academic and professional achievements. He treasured watching his family grow to include 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Dick and his wife, Barbara Bear Douthitt, shared 73 years of marriage after marrying on July 22, 1953. Together they built a life filled with family, hard work, faith, sports, weekends on Lake Erie and memories spanning more than seven decades.In his later years, Dick enjoyed spending time at the Senior Center, where he reconnected with longtime friends and enjoyed making new ones.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, Dick is survived by his children, Craig (Suzanne) Douthitt of Westerville, Jill (John) Struhar of Florida, and Andrea (Allen) Wilhelm of North Carolina; his sister, Sally Bigler of New Philadelphia; 12 grandchildren, Shane (Kelsie) Gunnoe, Amber (Ty) Starkey, Ariel (Michael) Tyson, Troy Gunnoe, Erika (Zack) Wilson, Andrew (Michelle) Struhar, Alexis Wilhelm, Autumn (Corbin) Turner, Kelsey (Lauren) Douthitt, Kyle Wilhelm, Anna Struhar, and Casey Douthitt; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeannine Gunnoe.

Cremation has been entrusted to Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory in Dover. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday, September 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A service celebrating Dick’s life will be held on Saturday, September 5, at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor David Wing officiating. Interment of his ashes will follow at Dover Burial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to the Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe St., Dover, Ohio 44622.