Caryl Gardner (Broaderick)

A wonderful human being. Rest in Jesus' loving arms🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Sharon Facente (Hills)

So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. I have such fun memories of our times at HHS...he was a great guy! May God bless his soul. 

Nancy Lundblom (Blizzard)

I didn't really know Richard in high school but I knew OF him.  I actually got to know him better through some of our many reunions and Round Ups over the years.  He was the kindest and nicest person and was looking forward to our 60th reunion in September.  In fact, he joined the committee in checking out the location and gave his approval.  He had been ill for awhile and we were all hoping he would be well enough to attend.  I am very saddened by his passing and will miss him terribly.  Rest in Peace Dear Friend.

Brenda Becker (Egles)

I have beautiful memories of Richard from high school!  Was a friendly and kind person.  Was looking forward to  seeing him at the reunion!  Will miss him!  My prayers are with the family.  Richard is at peace with our Lord. My love to his family,  Brenda Becker Egles

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

This beautiful eulogy was delivered by Richard's daughter, Tiffany Powell Belbin, during Richard's Celebration of Life Service on July 8, 2024. Before you read it, I would highly recommend you have a box of Kleenex nearby. 

Dad

Richard Gilbert Powell, my dad, was born in Miami Florida. His parents were Gilbert and Nell Powell and he had a sweet older sister named Sandra. He was a saxophone player growing up in his teen years and was part of a big band and he loved performing. He served in the Vietnam war as a very young man and was part of the 173rd platoon and was a paratrooper. Those were the brave guys that jumped out of airplanes. He was so proud of his service and his crew, that he got his platoon and parachute tattooed on his arm. I always admired that when I saw it as a kid. He was involved in some very serious warfare where many of his friends didn’t make it and he was injured as well in the war. He received the purple heart for his bravery and for fighting injured. Thankfully God brought him home safely because God had more plans in store for him.

My dad and my mom met at The Indian River playhouse where they were both part of the production in 1976. Sparks flew and they got married soon after. A year or so later they had me.Yay! I remember my dad being a hard worker as a kid and had many different jobs throughout the years. He was a great car salesman at Sunshine Dodge for many years and also sometimes did the midnight shift at a convenient store. I remember one night hearing him come home and telling us how he had a robber come in and hold him up at the store with a gun. I was so glad that my dad was brave and lived through that night, God was watching out for him again.

A funny memory when I was in Kindergarten and my dad had morning duty of taking me to school because mom was at work. I would love watching the morning cartoons. The Bozo show would come on right when I needed to leave for school. I loved watching that show so much, that many mornings I could convince Dad to let me watch the Bozo show and go to school late. The Waltons came on after and if I got to watch that too, I knew I was pretty late. I remember one time getting to school and I just joined the lunch line, haha. Dad wanted to make me happy. But I can’t say he was the best at morning duty.

When I got a little older I borrowed my uncle Charlie's video camera and loved making videos. I decided to do some pranks on my dad and video tape him. He was just so fun to prank. I would wait till he was asleep and then put some whipped cream on his nose. Then I would get my camera ready, start recording and then tickle his nose. The cream would get smeared all over and yells would come out of his mouth. I would run away screaming with laughter. It was movie gold and dad was the star!! Deep down I think he liked it.

When we would have birthday parties at our house, he would always come out to try and make all of the kids laugh with his dancing. He was such a hoot.

One thing people always tell dads to do is to tell their daughters that they are beautiful, well Dad did that well. I always remember him making an effort all through my life to tell me that he loved me and that I was beautiful. I had no doubt how he felt about me, I was loved. Thank you Dad.

Dad didn't always get a lot of free time, but when he did have it, you could find him doing some of these things. Going to church, golfing, watching war movies and old movie classics and visiting his dad and his sister Sandra. He loved his family so much.

Dad loved the Lord and was deeply involved in our church where he served as an usher, he was on the board and was Sunday school superintendent and a teacher. He loved reading the word of God so much all through his life and he had a whole bookshelf in his room filled with Bibles and books that studied the Bible. You couldn’t get through a conversation with him very long before he would start sharing something about the Lord or things he had been studying about the Bible. I deeply admired that about him. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was young in Sunday school and I am thankful for him and my mom for bringing me to church and teaching me about God.

Dad loved listening to christian music and one of his favorite singers was Russ Taff. I got to go to a Russ Taff concert with him and that was one of my favorite memories with him. His favorite song from Russ Taff was “He Had No Medals”. Hearing that song will always make me think of Dad and brings a huge smile to my heart.

I haven’t mentioned my brothers yet, but Dad had my older brother Scott who is 5 years older than me, and Jesse, who is 8 years younger than me. Dad loved them very much too and was super proud of them. They both followed in his footsteps and joined the military.

Me and my family lived in India for 8 years and I didnt get to spend as much time with dad because of distance during those years. When we came back in 2020, dad had just been diagnosed with cancer and I was able to be there with him for his initial visits to the dr. We got to spend these last 4 years with him and share holidays with him. That was such a blessing and a gift from God. I watched him battle this cancer and he fought hard these past 4 years. Every time I would visit him, he was always trying to give me something meaningful from his life. I didn’t want to start accepting them because I didn’t want to accept that he wouldn’t make it through the cancer battle. Its like he knew his days were limited. I just thought he would live forever. The last time I was with him, he gave me a Bible. Usually I would say, its ok dad, I will get it later. But this time I took it with a smile, to honor him. He stood up with the little energy and strength he had and gave me a hug and a kiss. Little did I know that would be my last time talking with him in person. I will cherish that talk and that Bible forever.

Thank you dad for loving me, Jesus, your country and your family to the very end! I know you were welcomed in to the loving arms of Jesus last Monday. I will see you again in heaven! 

Beverly "Fran" Tish (Whitaker)

Paul Stokes

Beautiful remembrances!

Sergio Siller

Through his daughter's beautiful eulogy I feel blessed to now know Richard better and regret not having known him well while at HHS. And Vince, you were right - appreciated your suggestion.