COLUMBUS
Richard Alvin Wagner peacefully passed on the evening of Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. Richard was born on August 8, 1931 in Batesville, Indiana the son of Aloysius and Leona Wagner. He grew up a farm boy which he continued to embrace throughout his life. After graduating from Batesville High School in 1949 he attended Purdue University where he met the love of his life, Nancy. He graduated Purdue with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. After graduating he was drafted into the US Army and served as an Intelligence Specialist at the Army Geospatial Center in Germany. After honorable discharge he married his college sweetheart, Nancy Ann Hanway, on August 11, 1956. After working at Oliver Tractor Co. in South Bend, he joined Cummins Engine Co. in 1958 and moved his young family to Columbus, IN. Richard had a 35 year career at Cummins having worked in a number of product engineering positions. He retired from Cummins as Director of Engineering Quality. During his career he was a licensed professional engineer, an awarded member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and was awarded a US patent. Richard was a loyal Purdue and Cubs fan throughout his life. He was an avid woodworker, gardener, bowler, golfer and adept bridge player. He and Nancy loved to travel with family and were also able to visit many locations throughout the US and world. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had a great smile and easy laugh. Richard lived his Christian values and was generous to all. He was a founding member of St. Columba Roman Catholic Church and School (now St. Bartholomew) and a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years. Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy A Wagner; a sister Bernice (August) Lamping of Hamburg, IN; a daughter Catherine (Gregory) Woodworth of Columbus, IN; a son Anthony (Robin) Wagner of McCordsville, IN; grandchildren, Christopher Woodworth of Columbus; Michael Woodworth of Westminster, CO; Benjamin Wagner of McCordsville, IN; and Betsy Woodworth of Charlotte, NC. A Mass of Christian of Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. A live stream of the funeral mass may be vied at 12:00 p.m. Thursday at saintbartholomew.org Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street and 11:00 a.m. to time of service Thursday at the church.
A rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. We do ask that visitors follow the social distancing guidelines once inside the funeral home and church and masks are required. Burial and graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Family Church Cemetery in Oldenburg, IN. with military honors provided by the Oldenburg American Legion and VFW. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church or the St. Bartholomew School Endowment Fund. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Wagner family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
