Richard S. Podiak, Sr.

Richard "Dick" S. Podiak, Sr. age 85, former longtime resident of Maumee, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He was born January 10, 1938, in Toledo to Stanley and Martha (Erdman) Podiak. Dick grew up in Toledo, attending St. Theresa Grade school, Macomber High School and finally the University of Toledo where he received his bachelor's degree in Engineering and began a lifelong career in research and design of Spark Plugs. Dick was recruited by Champion Spark Plug to join their company upon his graduation.

He started working at Champion in 1960 and continued there until 1990 when the company was sold, and he attempted to retire. However, Dick was still a young man and idle time was not for him. He wanted to continue to share his knowledge of design and development, so he began consulting with several area companies interested in growing their businesses in Engine and Performance advancement. Something he really enjoyed was being a part of the development team that produced the first prototype of the Impact Electric Car with GM, Delco Remy.

After all his children married or moved out of the family home in Maumee, Dick and his wife, Pat made the decision to move to Michigan, building their home in Howell. In 1998 Pat's health made it a necessity to be in a warmer climate so off to Florida they moved, building another home in Jacksonville. After losing the love of his life, Patricia in 2002, Dick moved further south residing in Palm Coast, Florida and it was there he started his last consulting company "Podiak Consulting Services, Inc." until retiring in 2018 at the age of 80. It was with this last segment of his working career Dick regularly traveled to China researching manufacturing plants and checking quality control of machinery he developed for a company he supported in Florida.

Dick traveled the world during his 30 years at Champion Spark Plug. He felt fortunate to have been able to bring his wife along so they could spend those years together experiencing the wonders of foreign places while they were both healthy and vibrant.

Dick had a passion for flying and all things mechanical that started at an early age. He started driving cars at 14 and unbeknownst to his parents, Dick piloted his first solo flight in a small aircraft at the age of 16. He continued his love of flying, maintaining his pilot's license throughout his life. Dick was excited when he purchased his own plane in 1990 and enjoyed many years of flight wherever he lived, flying over northern countryside's to southern coastlines.

Dick was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was given the name "Grandpa Pooh" by his grandkids. He and Patricia raised 8 children in a home that was a busy and noisy hub of constant activity as kids grew into teens and the family continued to grow into more generations. Birthdays, Holidays and every day in-between became wonderful memories. Picnic-style dinners on the family-room floor were normal to his kids, but were seen as "so cool" by their friends. Family trips to Cedar Point and the Shrine Circus were always eventful. There were also annual "educational outings" with the kids during their high school years to Cobo Hall for SAE Exhibits and lunches on the top floors of hotel restaurants.

Dick was active at St. Pat's School as a Scout Master, a CCD teacher and a willing parent helping out at several parish functions over the years. Having 8 kids meant he was also a never-ending mentor and coach, as well as a taxi service getting kids to games, recitals, slumber parties and more. Dick was also the "bank" for the kids, doling out lunch money, gas money and money for every need there was. There were few relaxing evenings or weekends as the kids grew up, his time was spent as a constant "fit-it and maintenance man" when toys needed assembling, appliances were on the fritz, or cars or the pool weren't operating as they should.

Growing up Polish meant his heritage passed on into his marriage, raising his children to appreciate polkas, his mother's delicious Czarnina and Kwas with homemade noodles and dumplings that weighed a ton, her Coffee Cake with or without raisins and Kielbasa in casing that was filled by the mile, all made in his childhood kitchen. He often recalled how he had to have several conversations with his elder Polish relatives when they made it a point to sneakily teach his kids a few polish swear words. So many memories to remember and cherish.

In addition to his parents, Dick was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 42 years, Patricia A.(McHugh) Podiak; daughter, Mary Deidre (Podiak) DeLong; son, Rick Podiak, Jr.; infant sons, Timothy and Sean and brother, Robert Podiak. He is survived by his loving children, Trish (Mitch) Pickens of Findlay, OH, Peggi (Bill) Burkett of Whitehouse, OH, Deborah (Kevin) Hertzfeld of Waterville, OH, David (Cindy) Podiak of East Dubuque, IL, Douglas (Tina) Podiak of Wildlight, FL and Daniel (Diana) Podiak of St. Augustine, FL; grandchildren, Matthew, Brian, Karen, Hailee, Ashley, Lauren, Taylor, Maggie, Drew, Jaclyne, Amanda, Emily, Aaron, Bailey, Jimmy, Jesse, Samantha, Travis, Zachery, Jakob, Eva Patrice and Cheyenne; great grandchildren, Mitchell, Benjamin, Samuel, Abigail, Cameron, Avery, Eleanor, Bella, Bishop, Carter, Colt, Clara, Eli, Isaac, Lila, Thea, Warren, Jameson, Seara, Niklaus, Annalise, JC and Deidre Marie; son-in-law, Dennis DeLong; sister-in-law, Ima Podiak and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family members.

The family will receive guests Friday, May 26, 2023 from 2:00 - 8:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900). A Mass of Celebration will begin Saturday, May 27th at 11:00 am. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd. with viewing one hour prior. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

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