Richard Alan Lowe
Richard Alan Lowe, age 69, of Millersburg, Ohio died, Friday February 4, 2022 in his sister’s home in Athens, Ohio from quickly advancing colon cancer. Born December 19, 1952 in Orrville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Homer James Lowe and Alma Nadine (Haun) Lowe.
Richard is survived by his two sons, Michael (Martha) Lowe of Howard Ohio and Nathan Lowe (fiancee, Stephanie) of West Lafayette, Ohio; grand-children Zachary, Aviana and Alexis and one great-grandchild Rowan; his oldest sibling Jennifer (Howard) Martin of Kansas City, Kansas and 4 siblings in Ohio: Dennis Lowe of Coshocton, Lynda Berman of Athens, Myra (Joseph) Leeper of Smithville and Gerald (Carol) Lowe of Creston; his former wife Lori Wagner and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, three aunts and many, many beloved cousins.
Richard (Rick) Lowe graduated from Orrville High School and attended OSU one semester before being drafted into the army. He served stateside 1972-1974. He worked in manufacturing for the next part of his life. He worked at Morton Salt Company in Rittman, Ohio from 1975-1978. He moved to Capitola, California to work at Earth and Sea, producing potting soil from 1978-1993. He worked in Coshocton, Ohio from 1993-1999 at Coshocton Construction Company and Liberty Pottery. All were, in different ways, family-related businesses.
Beginning in 1996, he gradually took over responsibilities at the family farm in Holmes County tending the Black Angus herd and growing the crops to feed them. The land has been in the family since the late 1880’s. He accepted full stewardship in 1999 until the present making it his home. Rick continued and built on a now 50-year tradition of hosting a family gathering the day after Thanksgiving. This beloved reunion kept far-flung family members connected through the annual highly- anticipated activity of Barn Cleaning and eating each other’s delicious holiday leftovers. As Rick approached semi-retirement, he initiated the annual Potato Dig as well and a good time was had by all — whether manning a spade, pawing through the loose dirt for the potatoes or watching the competition. Rick sent everyone home with big bags of potatoes, always very generous with the bounty from his big vegetable garden. He took care of his own. Always. Through Rick, the family farm has remained a touchstone.
Of farming, Rick would say, “It’s not so much a way to make a living as it is a way of life.” He liked being outside and being his own boss. He was modest, honest, generous, independent, and content with his life.
Nearly all of Rick’s travel involved family. Throughout his life, he made frequent trips to California, New Mexico, Arizona and Kansas to see relatives. He took his granddaughter on an Alaskan cruise. He drove the country roads to watch his grandchildren, great-niece’s and great-nephew’s sporting events, dance concerts, and family celebrations. Multiple times a year he would drive to gatherings of his 5 siblings. After his diagnosis, Rick put Hawaii at the top of his bucket list. Two months before he died, he was swimming with the dolphins during a trip to Hawaii with his sister.
In true form, Rick took care of himself until the final month of his life, when his son and his sisters cared for him, supported by Hospice.
Rick lived a simple life of well-being.
According to his wishes, Richard was cremated. The family will gather privately at a later date at the family farm in Holmes County to celebrate his life. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.
Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at this website: www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Category: Obituaries
