Richard "Dick" Russell Lattime

Richard (Dick) Russell Lattime passed away peacefully Friday morning, February 21. Born November 11, 1933, in Medford, Massachusetts, he was the youngest of Percy (father) and Marion's (mother) four children, sisters Phyllis and Barbara and brother Curt (all deceased).

After graduation from Medford high school in 1951, Dick began studies at Northeastern University in Boston under the ROTC with the United States Army where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry, in 1957. He served in Korea as a First Lieutenant with the 51 st Signal Corps Battalion and was cited for outstanding performance of duty. After returning to the States, Dick was stationed at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey where he met his wife Gayle (deceased). Dick took a position with Goodyear Chemical Research and Development in Akron, Ohio (1962), where he worked over 40 years as a research chemist. During his career with Goodyear, he made numerous contributions to various products and processing of latex and was the sole and co-inventor on two U.S. patents each, with international publications as well.

Family meant everything to Dick, and he championed the roles of dad and grandpa every step of the way. Dick was a resident of Tallmadge for nearly 60 years. He is survived by his sons, Ron (Kelly) Lattime and Scott (Beth) Lattime; daughter, Wendy (Paul) Kearnes; and grandchildren, Kristina, Cecelia, and Ethan Lattime. Dick also has several extended family members known as the "California Lattime Contingency" led by their wonderful matriarch and his sister-in-law, Gail Lattime. Special thanks to all the love and support given by his friend, Nancy Schlegel as well.

Dick enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests throughout his life. He was a sports enthusiast and loyalist to all Boston teams. He would relish in their successes and was lucky that his hometown was typically unstoppable. He was quick to let you know it and generally had a hard time pulling himself away from Bruins games. Dick was an avid tennis player and fisherman. He had an enviable green thumb and once grew sunflowers that outgrew his toolshed and planted a small poinsettia that grew into a small tree a year later. He loved big band music and even played the trumpet. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and took pride in being an American veteran.

His family will miss his wonderful sense of humor and wicked ability to recite long poems in a profoundly silly way. He struggled to have a conversation without multiple references to his favorite shows "Seinfeld" or "Saturday Night Live" surfacing. He loved telling jokes, although he had a tough time delivering them without breaking himself up first. He instilled a sense of honesty, hard work, as well as humor with his children and grandchildren, and frankly everyone he knew. Dick's generosity and love will surely be missed but serves as an inspiration for all who knew him.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7 at Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle). Funeral service immediately follows at 7 p.m.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery which will take place at a later date with Dick's family to honor the service he gave to his country.