Richard C. “Dick” Bolesky
March 8, 2017 at 4:09 p.m.
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He was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Kenneth and Mildred Hopkins Bolesky. On June 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Nancy Smith in South Bend. She preceded him March 21, 2013.
He was a 1950 graduate of John Adams High School, South Bend, and graduated Purdue University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a commissioned second lieutenant from 1954 and was released from active duty as first lieutenant in 1956.
He was employed by Motec Division of Thermo Disc as a development engineer and then by US Rubber’s plastic division development lab as development engineer in 1957 in Mishawaka (later became Uniroyal). In 1964 he moved to Warsaw to open a new plastics plant as managing sales engineer. In 1974 he joined Zimmer USA as senior development engineer, later promoted to vice president of research and development. He joined DePuy Orthopaedics in 1981 as vice president of research and development, retiring in 1994 as senior vice president of worldwide technology. He then served as a consultant for DePuy from 1994 to 1997. In 1997 he was appointed to the board of directors for DePuy until its sale in 2000.
Other notable professional achievements include Outstand Mechanical Engineer, 1997 Purdue School of Engineering, member IPFW Technology Advisory Commission and he was the holder of 21 U.S. patents.
His social affiliations include serving as president and board member of Kosciusko County YMCA, Baker Youth Club, Kosciusko County Purdue Alumni Association and Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. He was an ordained elder and deacon of Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where he was also a 50-year member of the choir.
Survivors include a son and three daughters: Lynne (spouse Shane) Hartle, Lori (spouse Mark) Shortz Sr. and Tod (spouse Brenda) Bolesky, all of Warsaw; and Jill (spouse Jon) Blackwood, Winona Lake. In addition, seven grandchildren survive and include Jake Hartle, Warsaw; Chelsey (spouse Eddie) Sexton, Claypool; Nick (spouse Libby) Bolesky, Dayton, Ohio; Connor Helser, Warsaw; Zach (spouse Christina) Jones, Warsaw; Emily Jones, LaPorte; and Nicole Bolesky, Warsaw; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Erik Ohman officiating. A private interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
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Memorials to Baker Youth Club, 1401 E. Smith St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
To sign the guest register or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
He was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Kenneth and Mildred Hopkins Bolesky. On June 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Nancy Smith in South Bend. She preceded him March 21, 2013.
He was a 1950 graduate of John Adams High School, South Bend, and graduated Purdue University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a commissioned second lieutenant from 1954 and was released from active duty as first lieutenant in 1956.
He was employed by Motec Division of Thermo Disc as a development engineer and then by US Rubber’s plastic division development lab as development engineer in 1957 in Mishawaka (later became Uniroyal). In 1964 he moved to Warsaw to open a new plastics plant as managing sales engineer. In 1974 he joined Zimmer USA as senior development engineer, later promoted to vice president of research and development. He joined DePuy Orthopaedics in 1981 as vice president of research and development, retiring in 1994 as senior vice president of worldwide technology. He then served as a consultant for DePuy from 1994 to 1997. In 1997 he was appointed to the board of directors for DePuy until its sale in 2000.
Other notable professional achievements include Outstand Mechanical Engineer, 1997 Purdue School of Engineering, member IPFW Technology Advisory Commission and he was the holder of 21 U.S. patents.
His social affiliations include serving as president and board member of Kosciusko County YMCA, Baker Youth Club, Kosciusko County Purdue Alumni Association and Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. He was an ordained elder and deacon of Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where he was also a 50-year member of the choir.
Survivors include a son and three daughters: Lynne (spouse Shane) Hartle, Lori (spouse Mark) Shortz Sr. and Tod (spouse Brenda) Bolesky, all of Warsaw; and Jill (spouse Jon) Blackwood, Winona Lake. In addition, seven grandchildren survive and include Jake Hartle, Warsaw; Chelsey (spouse Eddie) Sexton, Claypool; Nick (spouse Libby) Bolesky, Dayton, Ohio; Connor Helser, Warsaw; Zach (spouse Christina) Jones, Warsaw; Emily Jones, LaPorte; and Nicole Bolesky, Warsaw; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Erik Ohman officiating. A private interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
*****
Memorials to Baker Youth Club, 1401 E. Smith St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
To sign the guest register or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
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