Dorthy H. Richter

Dorthy Pearl Hurst was born in Ranger, Texas, to Willis Marian and Mary Corinne (Bearden) Hurst. Dottie grew up in the oil fields of West Texas in a little town called Wink. She attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and taught for two years in Crane and one year in Waxahachie. While spending the summer of 1953 with friends in Lubbock, she met a young Air Force pilot, Edward Bailey Richter, and they were married a few weeks later on July 24. They celebrated their 60th anniversary before Ed passed away on August 30th of this year. Upon her marriage, she happily dropped her middle name of Pearl in favor of her maiden name of Hurst. Ed's Air Force career took them to various parts of the country and the Philippines, making it difficult for Dottie to continue her teaching career. She did teach government and physical education (which included coaching all of the girls' sports) at Beavercreek High School in the early 1960's. Those few years brought her long-time friendships with fellow teachers as well as students. She enjoyed attending the 50th reunion of the Beavercreek class of 1962 just last summer. After those few years of full-time teaching, Dottie settled on subbing in the school systems where the family lived for a year or two at a time. They spent Ed's retirement in Vandalia, Ohio, and then the last five years in Sylvania. For several years in Vandalia, Ed coached youth ice hockey. Dottie "adopted" many of the boys on his various teams; often having them over for dinner and once giving home-made gifts to the entire team. Dottie and Ed loved to dance, bowl, play bridge, and entertain. The last few years in Mayberry Village in Sylvania she enjoyed her many friendships, weekly bridge games, craft projects, and baking for her friends. Dottie loved to read and passed that love on to her daughters and grandchildren. She had an amazing memory and could discuss almost any topic in-depth. She had a generous spirit and gladly helped anyone in need with her time, her listening skills, her sage advice, and her home cooking and baking.

Dottie was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, and brother-in-law Bill Drummond. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary, of Brooklyn, NY and Alta, of Toledo; as well as her son-in-law, Marc Thompson; two grandchildren, Tyler, of Clearwater, FL and Tess Thompson, of Toledo; her sister, Tessie Drummond, of Tampa, FL; her nephew, Temple Drummond, of Tampa and his family; wife Lisa and children Sara, Seth, and Luke. Dottie is also survived by her third "daughter," Diana Sorrel; and life-long friends, Tom and Ann Julian, of Alexandria, VA, Bob and Teresa Zubeck, of Beavercreek, OH and John and Millicent Townsley, of Beavercreek, OH.

Burial will occur at an undetermined date at Arlington National Cemetery with her beloved Ed. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Toledo (419-473-0300) assisted the family with professional services.

Many thanks to her wonderful friends at Mayberry Village as well as the Ashanti Hospice and staff at Sunset Village who cared for her in her final days.

Contributions may be made in Dottie's memory to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741 (www.bestfriends.org) or to the Heifer Project, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202( www.heifer.org).