Richard S. Forkner

Bloomington-Richard S. Forkner, 93, died unexpectedly at his residence on Saturday, March 2. He was born in Anderson, IN, on June 6. 1919, the eldest child of Samuel and Harriett (Clifford) Forkner. He was valedictorian of the Anderson High School Class of 1937 and a 1941 graduate of General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, MI, with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. His entire working career was spent as a mechanical engineer at Delco-Remy division of General Motors in Anderson. His wife, Jeanne Hardy Forkner, died in 1997. For many years Dick sang in the Delco-Remy Chorus and the choir at Central Christian Church in Anderson. In 1980 Jeanne and Dick moved to Bloomington. Jeanne had earned her Masters Degree from the IU School of Music, and music drew them back to Bloomington. During the last 33 years Dick attended thousands of musical performances. In February alone he was delighted to see two operas which he had never seen before and to attend 12 other musical events on the IU campus including organ concerts, orchestral; choral. and chamber music performances. Just four days before his sudden death he delighted in seeing former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan at the IU Auditorium. A highlight of the current season was hearing Joshua Bell perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, and he was looking forward to hearing Yo-Yo Ma again next month. Dick was a Life Member of the Society of the Friends of Music. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church (Bloomington), and through his 80's he lent his lyrical tenor voice when the choir invited singers to come forward for the "Hallelujah Chorus." He was a patron-member of Mu Phi Epsilon Musical Honorary. He was a voracious reader and skilled genealogist and a member of the Monroe County. Madison County, and Indiana Historical Societies. He was recently honored by the president of the New England Historic Genealogical Society for being their longest-standing member. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law. Jo Ellen and Stephen Ham of Bloomington; two grandsons, Richard Thomas Ham and wife Allison Stites of Chicago; and Jonathan David Ham and wife Katherine Hynds Ham of Denver; and two great-grandchildren Stella Stites Ham and Charles Stites Ham of Chicago; one sister Kathleen (Donald) Cookman and one sister-in-law Mariwanda Forkner of Anderson; his special niece/housemate/kindred spirit Susan Burk and loving nieces Beth Arnott and Linda Summers of Bloomington. In addition he is survived by a large number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. who were all very special to him. Preceding him in death were his parents. his brother David Forkner of Chesterfield and his sister Martha Burk of Muncie. A private burial was held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Anderson. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 4th and Washington. Bloomington, IN. on Saturday. March l6`x' at 2 PM, with the Rev. Mary Cartwright officiating and Dr. Charles H. Webb, organist. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the IU Foundation (PO Box 500, Bloomington IN, 47402). specifying the Richard S. Forkner and Jeanne Hardy Forkner Friends of Music scholarship at the IU Jacobs School of Music. Allen Funeral Home 4155 South Old Highway is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Richard S. Forkner

June 6, 1919 - March 2, 2013