Richard “Dick”  Dale Friend, 89, of Copley, OH, passed away September 11, 2022 at the Inn at CoalRidge.  Richard was born on January 19, 1933 in Akron, OH to the late Richard and Loretta (Fay) Friend.

After a patriotic stint in the US Army, spending time in Okinawa and Korea in combat engineer, he spent his entire working life with Ohio Edison in Akron. A dedicated “company man” he retired in 1994. He was very proud of his volunteer time with the Fraternal Order of Police Associates, Akron Lodge 6 and served as its president for 25 years.  Thank you to the Akron Police for the friendship offered over the years. Together with his wife and several other couples, they formed the Akron-Barberton-Canton (ABC) Polka Association and held polka events in the area.  In the mid 1990's he started a weekly polka jam at the Akron F.O.P. park when the Akron German-American Club closed its doors.  Until recently, he worked at this weekly event for over 25 years.  It was polka that provided Dick and Joan a wonderful circle of friends and musicians for decades – a heart-warm thank you. A special note to the now departed Hank Pawlak for penning "Joan's Polka".

Dick lived a long, full life – in addition to a polka-filled life, he made wine, took his family on hikes, showed his kids how to change the oil in their cars, loved to roller skate and play poker, made chocolate fudge, put up inspiring Christmas decorations that stayed up through February, bowled, camped in Michigan with friends, sang with his kids in the car and ever the romantic, never missed a holiday gift to his wife.

He is survived by children Michael (Olga) Friend, Christopher (Kate) Friend, Shawn (Dennis) Friend-Begin, Tracy (Chris) Logan and Patrick (Jennifer) Friend, as well as 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews in Michigan, Ohio and St. Simon’s Island, GA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Libby, Edward, Donald, Leah, Patricia, Robert, and in 2017, his beloved wife of 60 years, Joan (Jordan).

Special thanks to the Inn at CoalRidge staff for their compassionate care.

Family and friends are invited to attend a remembrance gathering from 2:00–6:00pm on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 2610 Ley Dr., Akron OH 44319.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Fraternal Order of Police #7, 2610 Ley Dr., Akron, OH 44319, or the Cleveland Clinic Heart Foundation.