Richard Fairbanks Messenger

Messenger, Richard Fairbanks, age 86, of Centerville passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Richard was born January 25, 1922 in Xenia, OH to Dr. Harold Clay and Nell (Fairbanks) Messenger. He was the grandson of Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Messenger also of Xenia. He graduated from Xenia Central High School, where he was an editor of the Central High News. He graduated with a BA degree from Princeton University, and from the Graduate School of Yale University with a Ph. D in English Literature. Most of his career as a Professor of English was spent at Georgetown University in Washington, D. C. He completed it at Miami University in Oxford. His last years were spent at Bethany Village, Centerville. He was a life-long member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Xenia. In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother; Dr. Harold Clay Messenger, Jr. and his nephew-in-law; Robert S. Tolles, Jr. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Myra M. Messenger of Kettering; two nieces, Margaret M. Messenger of Alexandria, VA and Joan M. Tolles of Oakwood, OH; nephew and daughter-in-law, Harold ("Terry") C. (Laura) Messenger III of Alexandria, VA., and four great-nieces and one great-nephew. Private burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, Xenia on Saturday. Arrangements in care of Routsong Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. For other remembrances and condolences please visit our website at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429