Obituary of Richard Ownby Costen

MUNROE FALLS- Richard Ownby Costen was born on April 20, 1930 in Akron to Clarence and Ruth Costen and passed away March 31, 2013. Richard grew up on Kenyon St. in south Akron, attending Lincoln Elementary and the old South High School.  As a 14 year old, Richard survived polio, missing a year of school and fighting his way back to return to athletics. After high school graduation in 1948, he attended the University of Akron, studying Physical Education.  He met Dorothy Dunlevy at a street dance in Kenmore and has been with her ever since.  They married in 1954 at Akron’s Main Street Methodist Church.  He entered the United States Army as an officer and was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State. Richard moved to Stow in 1959 and earned a Master’s Degree in School Counseling at Kent State.  He raised his family in Stow.  His first teaching job was with the Bath/Richfield school system as a physical education teacher, followed by a job as a school counselor at Stow High School.  Richard also pursued a career in administration at Kent State and after “retiring”, worked for Akron Public School’s Adult Vocational Services in testing and evaluation. Favorite memories for Richard included times with Dorothy at Summit Lake Park, eating at Luigi’s and Bob’s Hamburgers, and throughout his life, golfing and swimming.  He swam many competitions in Master’s Level swim meets.  He golfed with old friends in what they coined the “Corner Open”. Richard was a Christian and a devoted attendee at Stow Alliance Fellowship Church in Stow.  He was an intelligent and goal-oriented man who practiced self-discipline and study.  His joking nature sometimes belied his true intellect. Richard is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles Costen.  He leaves his wife of 58 years Dorothy; three daughters, Diana (Mitch) Barkman, Cheryl Costen and Karen Vivino; 3 grandchildren, Miranda (Sean) Thornton, Lynette Ray and Joseph Vivino.  He also leaves to grieve his passing 5 great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Tuesday 6 to 8 PM.  Pastor John Cervone will conduct service Wednesday 11 AM at Stow Alliance Fellowship, 4460 Stow Road, Stow 44224.  Entombment Northlawn Memorial Gardens.  Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Stow Alliance Fellowship.  Mr. Costen's video tribute may be seen here.