Richard (Dick) Pindel, age 89, of Canton, passed away peacefully at home Friday, January 24, 2025. Dick was born in Oil City, PA on March 24, 1935 to the late Frank and Catherine (Stapera) Pindle. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish at St. Anthony Church. He graduated from Canton Timken Vocational High School in 1953 and immediately began working for the Timken Company as a student draftsman. He later became a member of their visual services department and eventually their Lead Videographer, retiring after 44.5 years with the company.

His time at Timken was interrupted by his enlistment in the United States Navy in 1955. He auditioned for and was accepted into the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C. as a bassoonist. He was later stationed on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay and has fond memories of going into the city to attend jazz shows at the local clubs when he was on leave. Some of his highlights included playing at the rededication of the Golden Gate Bridge and marching in a parade to welcome Major League Baseball's Giants after their move from New York City to San Francisco in 1958.

His love of music began at a very young age and continued throughout the rest of his life. He played his last concert just one month ago with long-time friend and fellow musician Bob Hill. He grew up playing in a polka band with his father and brothers and continued to play in various jazz and Big Bands with his brother Larry alongside him on the piano. He was a proud member of the Canton Federation of Musicians A.F.M. Local 111 and played saxophone, clarinet, flute, piccolo, and bassoon. In addition to his time with the U.S. Naval Band, he played in the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Canton Community Band, the Stark County Fair Band, and many other local bands and orchestras. He also spread his love of music by teaching at Gulia's Music and Pellegrino's Music and was always proud to see his students develop their abilities.

Dick was a family man–a devoted husband, father, and grandpa. Dick always credited music with bringing him many things, including his wife Mary, because it was the sister of one of his band leaders who played matchmaker and introduced them at Parkway Manor in 1963. Mary and Dick married in 1964 and settled in Canton, where they raised their family of 6. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last July.

Dick shared his passion for music with his children and grandchildren by giving them music lessons, repairing their instruments, and attending their concerts and competitions with pride. He also supported them in all of their sporting endeavors and served on the troop committee for the Boy Scout Troop 126 for many years. The latter helped contribute to a legacy of five Eagle Scout awards being earned by members of his family. His calm, steady, constant presence will be greatly missed by his whole family.

Dick was a member of the Polish American Club, an avid golfer, and a constant tinkerer. He spent many years tending vegetable and flower gardens, pruning fruit trees, and renovating the family home. In his later years, he spent many hours restoring old tools and assembling puzzles to keep him busy when he could not get outside.

Like his father before him, Dick was largely self-taught in many areas of home renovation and car maintenance. When asked if he knew how to do something, his father would say, "I don't know. I haven't tried yet." This same mindset guided Dick as he tackled the renovation of every room in the family home over nearly 58 years since he and Mary had it built—some rooms more than once. He passed down this hands-on knowledge and strong work ethic to his children, and now it's being carried on by his grandchildren.

In addition to Dick's parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bob and Larry Pindel. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Cusma) Pindel; daughter Annemarie (Rick) Johnson of Clarkston, Michigan; three sons, Michael (Kristine) Pindel of Hartville, Joseph (Ronna) Pindel of New Castle, PA, and David (Heather) Pindel of Cleveland Heights; sister-in-law Donna Pindel of North Canton; eleven grandchildren: Lauryn, Richard, Nathan, Ben, Sarah, William, Andrew, Nicky, Alex, Katherine, and Grace; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rossi Family Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish at St. Anthony Campus (located at 1530 11th St SE Canton, OH). The entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dick's name to: Arts in Stark or Boy Scouts of America Troop 45 Hartville at: Friends of Troop 45 1318 Peony St NW Hartville, OH 44632 friendsoftroop45@gmail.com