Richard Cromwell Cummings

CUMMINGS, Richard Cromwell “Dick”, age 90, of Dayton, passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Richard was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 16, 1931 to the late Lewis and Ruth Cummings. He attended Fairview Elementary School and Fairview High School. Beginning in the fall of 1949, Richard attended The Ohio State University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau and Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity. Richard graduated from the OSU College of Dentistry in 1955, and in August of that year he entered the United States Air Force. Stationed first at New Castle County Airport (ADC) then at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa. He was kept in the Ready Reserve until November of 1972. During the last three months of duty at Kadena he was in command of the 17 dentists there and also the 18th Tactical Hospital Dental Clinic. In February 1958, he began private practice until his retirement in 2007. Richard married Dorothy Jean Mullen Creager on February 14, 1968 and they merged their families. Proceeded in death by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy Jean Cummings in 2017.

Survivors include his children Dawn (Wendell) Creager Glaspey; Richard C. (Michael) Cummings II; Joan (Leonard) Creager Folz; Joël Creager Hatmaker and Jessica (Anibal) Cummings Urteaga. Grandchildren Mark (Nicole) Tarziers; Trisha Baxter; Joshua Tarziers; Tara (Tyler) Johnson; Bret (Lauren) Glaspey; Earl (Megan) Hatmaker; Isabella Urteaga and Michaela Urteaga. great grandchildren Laney; Brady; Presley; Tinley; Logan; Reid; Noah; Quentin; Eleanor; Lincoln; Wade; Emerson; Iris; Atwood and Marigold. His brother Fred Cummings, and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was interested in antiques, as was Richard, which became their hobby for the 49 years. Richard (Dick) was a member of the Montgomery County Historical Society and became an avid member of Dayton History at Carillon Park. Dorothy and Dick donated The Toys Made in Dayton exhibit at the park. The exhibit was built by the volunteers of the Restoration Crew which was founded by Dick. Prior to this Dick had organized a group to build the Gazebo at Patterson Homestead. When the Deeds Barn was relocated to Carillon Park along with three other buildings, the Restoration Crew restored it along with the other buildings. The Restoration Crew has completed over 100 major and minor projects since 2007. Prior to the work at the Park, Dick belonged to the God Squad organized by Burt Saidel which completed the main Ark at Temple Israel. He then went on to make many projects for various religious groups including, but not limited to: Muslim, Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Congregations. One proud project was the building of the conductors podium used at the Schuster Center. Dick has been as proud member of the Oakwood Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow) since 1982 and served many years as co-chairman of the Pancake Breakfast of That Day in May In 2017 he was the Grand Marshall of TDIM parade. Dick is also a member of Sons of the American Revolution.

Dick was involved as a founder and vice-president of Nu View for Dayton View, which for years worked to make that area of lower Dayton View a better place to live. He also was on the board of the Oakwood YMCA while it existed. He served on the board of the Oakwood Historical Society. He was also a past President of the Dayton Antique Study Club. For two years he was the Oakwood Rotary member at large on the Oakwood Rotary Foundation. He was a member of the Boucher Society at the Ohio State University and a member of the Western Ohio Academy of Dental Practice Administration, the ADA, ODA, and the Dayton Dental Society. He was the co-author of the book the History of Dayton Ohio Toy Makers which he had spent 30 years studying. He and Dorothy belonged to the Madison, Indiana Historical Society, where they restored a house built in 1849. Dick also helped Dorothy organize the Goodwill Antique Shows and also their Folk Art Shows, as well as those for Dayton History at the Patterson Homestead. Beside the above Dick was one of the early franchisees of Duff Smorgasbord owning three in Kentucky. They were also minor owners of four Stacy's in Florida.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00PM on Sunday, June 12 at Carillon Park Museum (Eichelberger Pavilion), 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409. Reception immediately following at the museum. A Private committal will be held Monday at Woodland Mausoleum. Services are in the care of ROUTSONG FUNERAL HOME, KETTERING. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Dayton History 1000 Carillon Blvd. Dayton, Oh. 45409 in Richard Cummings name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.routsong.com.