Richard Dale Maxwell, 91

Richard Dale Maxwell, 91, of Hendersonville, died on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Elizabeth House. He is preceded in death by his parents Leo Dale Maxwell and Louella Schaufstall

Dick was born in Akron, Ohio. Soon after his birth his family moved to Cleveland Ohio where he attended school. He graduated from East High School where he achieved many state and city honors in track and field. In fact he received a track scholarship to Ohio State University. In 1941, with the draft about to procure him, he joined the Army Engineers and was eventually sent to Saipan in the South Pacific. Along the way both in the States and the South Pacific he participated in many meets in the South Pacific Olympics. He was reunited with his track coach from OSU and promised to return after the war was over. In 1946, he returned to Ohio State and became a very successful track athlete. In the Penn relay his shuttle hurdle team achieved a world record. He was captain of the OSU track team in senior year and participated in the 1948 Olympic tryouts- coming in fourth by 2 tenths of a second. Only 3 were sent to the London Olympics.

He Married Bea Ann Petty on August 31, 1948. They had three children who he also coached and supported through various sporting endeavors.

After graduation from OSU in 1949 he accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of North Carolina where he was the freshman track coach. He received a Master's Degree in Adaptive Physical Education and returned to Columbus for several years. In 1965 he became the head track coach at the Central Missouri State University. His cross country teams were state champions. In fact they were inducted into the University Hall of Fame. In 1970 he completed his course work for his PHD in Physical Education at the University of Missouri.

He left Missouri to become the Assistant Track Coach at the Slippery Rock State University and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1985. During his career in track and field he coached 10 all Americans.

He is survived by his loving wife Bea of 67 years, daughter Jo Ann, sons: Dale and Gary, 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. There will be no service per his request. Cremains will be interned at Union Cemetery in Columbus Ohio across from OSU so he can hear the band as a devoted and beloved Buckeye always.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center are in charge of arrangements.