Richard "Dick" Baldwin

Richard “Dick” Joseph Baldwin was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Robert and Carolyn “Kay” (Brim) Baldwin on January 24, 1951. He was the fourth of eight children and enjoyed a childhood full of adventures with his five brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Whitmer High School and then enrolled at Taylor University in Upland, IN. After completing some coursework, he enlisted in the US Navy and came home to work as an orderly at Toledo Hospital until induction. In January 1971, a certain student nurse, Barbara Ann Koepke, caught his eye and he convinced her to go on a double date with a pastor and his wife. He then left for boot camp. They were engaged that October when he came home on leave and married on April 8, 1972. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Sanctuary as a Hospital Corpsman for four years. Upon discharge, Dick and Barb moved to Hartford City, IN, where Dick finished his Bachelor’s Degree at Taylor University. In 1979, they moved back to Toledo, OH and shortly after, built a home in Millbury, OH. Dick worked in the computer software industry for 15 years before purchasing a small electric motor shop, Lachmiller Electric Motor Service, and creating LEMSCO, Inc., retiring in 2013 after an industrial accident. 

Dick’s five children (David, Bethany, Laura, Aaron, and Abigail) were his pride and joy. They attended Toledo Christian Schools and were active in sports and music. Dick was an enthusiastic audience member at hundreds of concerts and sporting events and served on the school board. All five of his children would later attend his alma mater, Taylor University, and Dick loved to visit them and reconnect with old friends in the area. 

Dick was a lifelong member of the Toledo Gospel Tabernacle (now First Alliance Church). He was active in the choir and served in many leadership roles, most recently as a deacon and on the Missions Committee. He loved the Lord and served Him with great joy. Through church, he formed lifelong friendships with the H’BAKE men and joined them for breakfast every Saturday morning for over 30 years. 

Dick never met a stranger. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, celebrate a graduation with his famous BBQ chicken, or support a mission trip. He traveled several times to Africa to build churches, often with friends or family. After surviving prostate cancer, he co-founded a support group named GFMPH, Good For Men’s Prostate Health, making many new friends and encouraging them on their cancer journey. His sense of humor and big heart were contagious. He rarely left the house without his beloved dog, Chiquita. After surviving his industrial accident, he vowed to live each day as if it were his last. He enjoyed spending his time with his ten grandchildren (Regan, Jayden, Leah, Grant, Milana, Audrey, Vienna, Lukas, Kaylee, and Cruz) who he adored, tinkering around his house and barn, completing his travels to all 50 states, and building a beautiful porch for the love of his life. 

Dick was welcomed into His Savior’s arms on November 27, 2020 after battling Covid-19. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Ann, and his five children, David, Bethany (Sheldon) Glover, Laura (Steve) Cassidy, Aaron, and Abigail (Doug) Segura and ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his six siblings, Bob (Wanda) Baldwin, John (Linda) Baldwin, Zita (Tom) Castor, Peter (Gloria) Baldwin, William S. (Lisa) Baldwin, and Jane (Garth) Brittenham, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Ben Baldwin, and parents, Robert and Kay (Brim) Baldwin. 

A man of faith and family, an example to all of us of wholehearted living. To God be the Glory for a life well lived in service to His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at First Alliance Church, 2201 Monroe St., Toledo, OH. Donations in his memory can be made to First Alliance Church or GFMPH. To express condolences or leave a memory for the family, please visit www.freckchapel.com.

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