Richard Thomas Castle

Richard Thomas Castle, age 88, passed away on April 19, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on April 11, 1934 in Rosewood, Ohio to the late Russel and Twylah (Clark) Castle. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Amaryllis Lee (McDaniel) Castle and sister, Phyllis Jean. Richard is survived by his two sons; Richard ‘Rick’ and Russel ‘Mike’ Castle, sister, Beatrice Sanders, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard graduated from Urbana High School. He was active in sports, receiving 3 varsity letters, one in basketball and two in football. He was the president of varsity U his junior year. Richard also was part of the music choir for 4 years. He graduated from Otterbein College with a B.S., ranked 15 of 125. There he was on the Student Council for 2 years and campus Greek Council for 1 year. He was the student commander of the AFROTC detachment his senior year. Richard later attended Ohio University, Athens, Ohio where he received his M.S. and Ph.D in Nuclear Physics, a technically rigorous program. He was the original Ph.D graduate in physics at OU, the Ph.D program that later had a Nobel Laureate as a graduate. His Ph.D thesis was published in the Physical Review, an unusual honor for a new graduate. Richard was employed for many years at Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio as a physicist with a specialty in Nuclear Weapons for the Department of Defense and strategic and technical applications of these effects. He also served as an on-site director of nuclear testing at the test site in Nevada. Richard taught for many years as an adjunct at Wright State and Ohio University in Physics and Math. He also taught many years as a substitute teacher in many local public schools at all levels, including Hillsboro City Schools at the FRS Special Needs School. “All of these assignments were a complete labor of love since I very much prefer these kids over University kids for their enthusiastic involvement with you in all the aspects of their school experience (most of the time)”. Richard selflessly served our country in the Air Force for 3 years as a Fighter Pilot. He graduated from all of the strenuous Fighter Pilot gunnery schools at Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV, and was first in his class at Nellis. Richard was assigned to the prestigious 4th Tactical Fighter Wing in North Carolina. He was the only new pilot selected that year. In recent years, he served as a private pilot.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 11:00-1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Urbana, Ohio. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the church, officiated by Pastor Brian Wonn. Richard will be laid to rest next to his wife at Oak Dale Cemetery with military honors rendered. Arrangements entrusted to the Walter and Lewis Funeral Home, Urbana, Ohio. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.walterfunerals.com.