Richard D. Oswald

Richard D. "Ozz" Oswald, 84, of Longswamp Township, died Saturday, June 9, 2018, in his home surrounded by his loving family.  He married the love of his life, Nancy A. (Worrell) Oswald on July 30, 1955.  He was a son of the late Warren J. and Helen (Geist) Oswald.

Richard retired in 1992 as Elevator Mechanic for Schindler-Haughton Elevator Company, Allentown. Prior, he worked for Otis Elevator Company; Lehigh Valley Dairy, Allentown; and Caloric Corporation. Richard was a member of the TRF Car Club, British Car Club of the Lehigh Valley and the Longswamp Township Historical Society.

Richard is remembered by his wife, children and grandchildren for:

--teaching important things in life, like bowling, unconditional love, how to mow the lawn in straight lines, and why sitting on the swing is the perfect place to philosophize or talk about space and the universe; --looking at things closely, and offering advice when needed and giving freedom when that was wiser; --laughing from the heart, and making that laughter contagious; --never being afraid to crawl around on the floor and be a kid with us, or trying to teach us his uncanny technique for finding four-leaf clovers; --teaching two generations about the value of working on cars, building patios, and working on elevators.  His hard work and success in the elevator trade paved the way for Scott, Dave, Felipe, Rhoadie, John and Dillon to enter the trade and carry on his legacy; --asking for backrubs; --loving all animals with a kind gentleness, most especially his dogs, Laddie, Nikki, Peaches, Spock, Rudy and Bear.  He was devastated when they crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but we trust they are going for a grand walk on the other side of the pond; --helping us to understand the beauty and mystery of Fiats and British cars—especially Triumphs; --reminding us not to take wooden nickels and that “it’s been a helluva day at sea sir.” --exhibiting patience at frustrating games of solitaire and puzzle building, because he had his own way of organizing the pieces;--creating in us, a sense of wonder at the beauty of a sunset or a smile on someone’s face, and showing us that capturing that image in a photograph was a way to keep all of that joy alive—thus inspiring his children and grandchildren to pursue photography as a hobby and possible career; --never forgetting to get the slideshow ready for family get-togethers; --believing that there is no such thing as a bad garden tractor or a blizzard too big to handle with the neighborhood crew of family and friends; and --being the second dad (and mom the second mom) to countless friends of the family, dad’s garage was the place to be any night of the week, they loved him like a father.

Passionate about his bowling game, Richard adapted his life and his game following his surgery and treatment for colorectal cancer in 2009.  In 2011, at age of 76, he bowled his first 300 game.  He saw it as a triumph over not only the game, but as a victory over the cancer and his permanent colostomy.  Richard’s Primetimers’ League team at Rose Bowl in Allentown won numerous championships, including the 2017-2018 season.  He cherished his bowling friends, and the family loves them too. Poppop was never too busy to stop and spend time with us, planting flowers in overcomplicated patterns for mom, listening to stories about video games and college, always knowing just the right thing to say.  We will cherish your life lessons, and strive to make him proud of us.  He lived life to the fullest, and now, somehow, as empty as we feel, we will try to do the same, to be the legacy of his incredible life. Dad will always be with us, in every four leaf clover we find, on every garden tractor mowing a lawn, in every dish of peanut butter and ice cream, in every Triumph driving to take in the autumn leaves.  He’ll be visiting us in our dreams.  He’ll be sticking around with his herd.  He left a part of himself within all of us, so that he would always be here, even when it was time for him to go. On June 9, we lost that naïve part of us, that part that wants everything to stay the same, to go on forever.  Our family lost a wonderful man, dad left imprints on all of us along with so many memories.  We’ll carry on knowing he loved us all dearly and without end.  Husband, father, grandfather and friend, we miss you already, we will love and remember you always.  We miss pop terribly but know he is at peace.  “See you on the other side….”

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Nancy, Richard is survived by six children: Carol L. (Oswald) wife of Anthony Dignazio, Topton; Kathy A. Oswald, Mertztown; Scott D. Oswald, Mertztown; David A., husband of Kimberly (Rauenzahn) Oswald, Mertztown; James M., husband of Donna (Fox) Oswald, Hoover, Ala.; and Julie L. Oswald wife of Alan Bates, Mertztown.  Other survivors include sisters, Carolyn, Mary, Kathryn; brother, Paul.  There are eight grandchildren: Nicole, Bronson, Sydney, Dillon, Julia, Zebulun, David and Shane.  Richard is also survived by his faithful Australian Shepherd, Bear; and his parrot Bobby.   In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by a daughter, Linda; and a brother, Warren. The family would like to thank the members of Lehigh Valley Hospice for their kindness and love.

A gathering to commemorate Richard's life is being planned.  Relatives and friends are asked to contact a member of the family for details.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Richard's memory to American Cancer Society Lehigh Valley Unit, 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017; or to a charity of your choice.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Topton, is in charge of arrangements. Memories, condolences and photographs may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.