Richard "Dick" Alexander Obituary (1943

Richard "Dick" Alexander, 80, of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023, at Vonderlieth Living Center in Mt. Pulaski. Dick was born August 8, 1943, in Alton, IL, the son of Wayne and Carroll (Greenwood) Alexander. He married LaDonna Owen on May 13,1967, in Macomb, IL. Dick is survived by his wife, LaDonna; children, Todd (Samie) Alexander, and Melissa (Matt Nelson) Alexander; three grandchildren, Joshua Nelson, Abigail Nelson, and Raylynn Alexander; one brother, Ed Alexander; nephew, Mike; and his niece, Amy. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dick graduated from Southwestern High School in Piasa, IL in 1961. He went on to obtain his Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1967, and his Master's degree from The University of Illinois in 1970. He taught welding at Marengo High School and Lincoln Community High School Vocational Center. He owned and operated his own business Alexander Welding and Machining. He was a life member of the American Welding Society. After selling Alexander Welding, he started his second Alexander Weld Quality Improvement Programs where he would instruct welding practices from coast to coast. He was "Mr. Fix-it". Often inventing tools that didn't exist. His retreat was his family farm, where he hosted Memorial and Labor Day cookouts for his family. He loved following and going to his grandchildren's sporting events and activities. A memorial service for Dick will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. Visitation will take place on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm also at the funeral home. An additional visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday (10:00-11:00am). Memorials may be made in Dick's name to the Lustgarten Foundation (for pancreatic cancer research), Lincoln Christian Church, or the Arbor Day Foundation.