Richard Dean Kitt

Richard Dean Kitt, 92, of Fort Myers, Florida and recently Kokomo, Indiana, passed away at Howard Community Regional Hospital in Kokomo, of an apparent heart attack, on Saturday morning, November 28, 2020.  He had been hospitalized for several days and diagnosed with colon cancer on Friday. 

He was born on September 9, 1928, in Bippus, Indiana to Elsie Marie (Hodgden) and Garr Kitt.  He resided in Huntington, on the farm and graduated from Clear Creek High School, where he was on the basketball team.  Thus, began his love of basketball.  He then attended Purdue University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He was also a member of the ROTC.  He continued to love all things Purdue his entire life, particularly Purdue Basketball.

After graduating from Purdue, the United States Army called, and he served in the Korean War in the Army Corp of Engineers.  His primary function was building roads, bridges and demolition work while serving. 

After discharge from the Army, he took a job at NIPSCO in the engineering department.  After several years at that position, he was promoted and was an industrial Gas Salesman in charge of multi-million dollar accounts covering East Chicago, Hammond and Gary.  In the late 1970's, he was transferred in Plymouth, Indiana as District Manager.  And finally retired from NIPSCO working in Wabash, Indiana.  

He married Shirley (Smith) on December 24th, 1987.  To start out, they were wintering in Fort Myers, Florida and eventually made Florida their permanent home.  They were truly dedicated to each other and travelled extensively.  Richard was a master traditional rug hooker, designing his own rugs and Shirley with her sewing skills would then put the finishing touches on the rugs.  Richard also enjoyed playing cards/games, fishing, reading, watching Cubs baseball and Purdue basketball and collecting antiques and paperweights.  

He was a lifelong Rotarian and was President of the Hammond, Indiana Rotary Club.  He is also past president of the International Paperweight Association.  The Cypress Lake United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, Florida was their home church. 

Mostly Richard loved his family and friends.  He has a son, James Kitt (Patsy) and a daughter, Anne Maesaka (John) who will miss him greatly.  He also has a stepdaughter, Pam Sullivan and son-in-law, Dean Sullivan.  A stepson, Brian Smith preceded him in death.  There are numerous grandchildren, Alison Westerink, Elizabeth (Adam) Ruff, Gabrielle Kitt, Michael (Kayla) Winger, Joshua Winger, Chad (Jama) Winger, Christopher Brian (Kellie) Smith, Pepper Dickie; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Arielle, Elle, Hank, Jacob, Hayley, Brayson, Tylan, Amea, Jessica, NIcholas, Christian, TJ and Kristell.

Richard also loved his grandogs; Rowdy, Chumley, Em and Hobbes.  He spent many hours playing with them and loving them.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020 at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.  Pastor Brad Wright will be the officiant.  Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at the funeral home.  

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, 8570 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33919. 

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com.   

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