Richard L. "Dick" Bultemeyer

Richard L. “Dick” Bultemeyer, 88, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away Monday evening, July 22, 2024, at his residence.

He was born on July 8, 1936 in Adams County, Indiana to William and Milda (Scheumann) Bultemeyer. Richard was united in marriage to Ruth A. Werling on September 30, 1955 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian and she preceded him in death on September 16, 2020 after almost 65 years of marriage.

He graduated from Monmouth High School Class of 1954 and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree at Concordia Teachers College at River Forest in 1960. Richard furthered his education with a Master’s Degree in Administration and Geography. He was a member of Our Hope Lutheran Church and was a retired member of the Lutheran Education Association and a former member of Board of Regents at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne. Richard was instrumental in the creation of the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI in Decatur) in the 1960’s which still continues today. Richard was a lifelong educator being first called to Ionia, Michigan as a Principal and teacher in 1960’s. He also taught at Zion Lutheran – Friedheim, Wyneken Lutheran, where he was the first principal in 1969, Trinity Lutheran in St. Joseph, Michigan, St. Peter’s Lutheran in Fort Wayne, Emmanuel Lutheran (DCE) in Fort Wayne, and also taught short term at Papua, New Guinea. Richard concluded his career at Faith Lutheran in Hialeah, Florida.

Dick enjoyed spending time with his family, photography, softball, cards, reading and bible studies. Throughout his life, Dick provided others with encouragement, no matter their circumstance.  He would visit those who were shut-in which came full circle in his later life as he faithfully watched the Worship Anew program.  His infectious encouragement was also recognized at Story Point where he was constantly engaging not only residents, and staff, but visitors alike.  He touched many lives and will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his daughter, Janna Lee (Thomas) Conway of Bowling Green, Kentucky; daughter, Rebecca Ann (Walter) Kikugawa of Ellenton, Florida; son, Jonathan David (Canan) Bultemeyer of Remseck, Germany; daughter, Christine Denise (Brett) Jordan of Canal Fulton, Ohio; son, Daniel Paul (Diane) Bultemeyer of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Elizabeth Anne (John) Herber of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sister, Rosie (Waldo) Bultemeier of Decatur, Indiana; brother, James (Cheryl) Bultemeyer of Decatur, Indiana; brother, Fritz (LouAnn) Bultemeyer of Decatur, Indiana; sister, Connie Hawkins of Decatur, Indiana; brother, Stan Bultemeyer of Decatur, Indiana; brother, Jerry Bultemeyer of Decatur, Indiana; brother-in-law, Paul Miller of Decatur, Indiana; brother-in-law, Denny Stoppenhagen of Hoagland, Indiana; sister-in-law, Barbara Bultemeyer of Gulf Shores, Alabama; sister-in-law. Bonnie Bultemeyer of Decatur, Indiana; 17 grandchildren, Anna Dorris, Rachael Conway, Andrew Conway, Caleb Ford-Conway, Leilani Curtis, Kevin Kikugawa, Melia Bennett, Kaila Engel, Melis Metin, Mikayla Jordan, Nathaniel Jordan, Eric Bultemeyer, Kelli Oren, Courtney Carlson, Joshua Bultemeyer, Lauren Herber, and Zachary Herber; 23 great-grandchildren, Tatum Coots, Ethan Coots, Gavin Yates, Aubrey Yates, Kelsey Riggio, Vincent Riggio, Corrin Ford-Conway, Magnolia Ford-Conway, Selah Curtis, Talitha Curtis, Aletheia Curtis, Maccabee Curtis, Elora Curtis, Zebedee Curtis, Myla Morrison, Kaden Kikugawa, Evelyn Kikugawa, Jack Bennett, Wyatt Bennett,  Caleb Dawson-Jordan, Casslyn Orr, Adeline Carlson and Reynolds Herber; and one great-great-granddaughter, Nova Wright.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Stephen, Roland, and Edward Bultemeyer; and three sisters, Kay Stoppenhagen, Eileen Miller, and Marlene (Richard) Duffey.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur with Pastor Roger James officiating. Burial will be held at Concordia Cemetery Gardens in Fort Wayne, Indiana at a later date.

Family and friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024 at the Zwick and Jahn Funeral in Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers preferred memorials can be given to Our Hope Lutheran Church - Huntertown or Worship Anew.

Arrangements are by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.