Richard Lee Mitchell, Ph.D.

Richard L. Mitchell, a 29-year resident of Kent, Ohio, died at home in the care of Crossroads Hospice on May 21, 2026, with his wife, Cynthia Osborn, by his side. Richard was born in Huntington, West Virginia, to Jack Carl Collins and Mildred Collins (nee Wetherby). Richard moved with his mother to Jackson, Ohio, in 1942, and after his mother’s marriage to Perl Loren “PL” Mitchell, assumed his stepfather’s surname. His mother and stepfather co-owned and ran the Mitchell Motor Co. in Wellston, Ohio. Richard graduated in 1948 from Wellston High School in Southeastern Ohio, an area he loved and considered home.

On August 19, 1955, Richard was ordained a minister in the Ohio Southeast Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church. He served as pastor to the First EUB Church of Portsmouth, First EUB Church of Newark, Antioch United Methodist Church (UMC) in Trotwood, and Church of the Saviour UMC in Westerville.

Richard was a graduate of Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, transferring credits earned from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, and Muskingum College in Muskingum, Ohio. He earned his graduate degrees from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (M.Div.) in Columbus, Ohio, and Ohio University (M.Ed. and Ph.D.), in Athens, Ohio.

Granted leaves from the ministry by the EUB Church and then the West Ohio Conference of the UMC, Richard held the positions of Vice President of Instruction at Hocking Technical College (HTC) in Nelsonville, Ohio, and Dean of Faculty at Valley Forge Christian College in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Richard also served as an adjunct professor at Ohio University in the College of Education, Department of Guidance and Counseling. After retirement from the UMC, Richard served for 4 years as Special Assistant to the President at HTC, and then as a part-time program associate in Vocational/Technical Teacher Education at Kent State University (KSU) for 4 years.

Richard cherished his time contributing to the Tuesday Morning Work Group at the UMC of Kent, participating in meaningful fellowship, and meeting weekly on Thursday mornings for breakfast and Bible study/discussion with the ROMEOs (“retired old men eating out”). He also treasured connections maintained with the “gym rats” from FitWorks in Stow, Ohio.

Richard is preceded in death by his daughter, Faythe Moore; and his son-in-law, Donald Moore. Also preceding him in death are two half-sisters, Marilyn Allen and Regina Collins.

Richard is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cynthia Osborn, professor emeritus of Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. Also surviving him are daughter, Deborah Lykowski; son-in-law, Robert Lykowski; granddaughter, Amy (Ben) Hartsock; grandson, Rande Lykowski; three great-granddaughters, Whitney and Lindsey Hartsock, and Marguerite Mae Lykowski; half-sister, Sharon Flowers; and half-brother, Robert Collins.

Per Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 11 A.M. SATURDAY June 27th, 2026 in the Firestone Chapel at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44313, with the Rev. Mark Pruitt officiating.

The family is indebted to Crossroads Hospice for their care of Richard, namely Suzanne, and nurses Heather C., Dawn, and Eli. Gratitude extended to Home Instead, particularly Richard’s faithful caregiver of 2½ years, Esther (who also was with him at the time of his passing), and recent caregiver Jameela. Richard and Cynthia are deeply grateful for the long-term personalized care provided to both of us by Dr. Rosanne M. DiLauro, MD.

Memorial gifts may be made in Richard L. Mitchell’s name to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care (https://www.crhcf.org/donate), the Center for the EUB Heritage (https://united.edu/center-for-the-evangelical-united-brethren-heritage-eub/), or the United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio (https://umfwestohio.org/).

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.