Richard C. Ludwiczak

November 23, 1937 to January 31, 2020

Heaven opened its gates and welcomed Richard C. Ludwiczak, 82, of Medina, Ohio, into paradise on Jan. 31, 2020. Dick, formerly of New Castle, was born on Nov. 23, 1937. He married the love of his life Trudy (Zidow) on May 18, 1963, and for 56 years they shared a beautiful happy life together.

They were blessed with four children, Lee Ann Sheehy (Patrick), Damian Ludwiczak (Joanie), Rachael Yunis (Isam), and Mari Arena (Jonathan). Dick's life was also blessed with nine grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor Sheehy, Tabitha and George Ludwiczak, Ramsey, Striar and Zakri (who preceded him to Heaven and was most likely the first family member to greet him there) Yunis, and Nancy and Mary Arena. Other members of his family missing him along with us are two brothers, Robert Ludwiczak (Joyce) and Raymond Ludwiczak; two sisters-in-law, Frances Ludwiczak and Gerry Lombardo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Other family members who greeted him in Heaven were his parents, Frank and Henrietta (Borowski) Ludwiczak; sister, Genevieve Ludwiczak; brother, Frank Ludwiczak; and many other well-loved family members and friends.

Dick was a graduate of New Castle High School and the Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He also held professional engineering licenses in nine different states. Early in his career, he worked at several firms including Penn Power, Matthew's Conveyor Company, LW NASH, Cogun Industries, Centerline Engineering, Hunter Engineering and Reliance Electric. Richard owned two engineering firms, N-TECH Industries and Ludco Engineering, in addition to Innovative Dynamics with his son. He retired from his professional career as a chief engineer at General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dick was fortunate to have many opportunities to travel for work. He was able to see most of this great country, which he loved, as well as touch all continents except Australia and Antarctica. He and his wife enjoyed many vacations with their children and grandchildren and also through their travels to visit extended family and friends. Dick didn't, however, need to be away to enjoy his time. He could find contentment just sitting quietly outside taking in all of God's creation and listening to the sounds. He saw beauty in every circumstance and was quick to point it out.

A Catholic by faith, he served his faith community across his lifespan. He started as an altar boy, then was a bell tower bell ringer as a youth. He was a lector as a young man, and later he served as a parish council member. Dick gave time to his community by serving on the Neshannock Township board of supervisors, being a Boy Scout leader, and coaching baseball. He also enjoyed helping his kids with numerous science fair projects and volunteered with the Neshannock football and band booster clubs for many years. Dick always enjoyed watching all his kids and his grandkids participate in school activities.

Dick's great joy in life was his family, who he graced with his endless generosity. He worked hard to provide his family with educations, unconditional love, a fun and welcoming home filled with holiday celebrations, picnics, time with extended family, and most importantly, a devout faith to which we cling to at this time. He was a life-long learner, always up to date on the news and politics, never too busy to listen, and always able to offer good advice and encouragement. He was truly a master problem solver with an engineer's brain tempered by a giving heart and a tireless spirit that often found him lifting another's burdens to the extent that he could.

Dick will be extremely missed by all of his family, remembered constantly in their thoughts and loved infinitely in their hearts. They know that even though he is in Heaven he will continue to watch over them.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at the Noga Funeral Home Inc., in New Castle. A procession will leave the funeral home at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for Holy Spirit Parish, St. Camillus Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. The Rev. Anthony Sciarappa, parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Parish will officiate. Rite of Committal and burial will be in Madonna Cemetery.