9 months ago · navdeep · Comments Off on Resident Spotlight: Richard (Dick) Long

Resident Spotlight: Richard (Dick) Long

The beauty of the Tribute Senior Living Community is that it holds the most incredible life stories. Each resident at Tribute has something unique to share, and today, we are sitting down with Richard Long. Richard is known among friends and loved ones as Dick, a beloved community member with an undeniable passion for sports.

Dick was born in 1947 in Indianapolis, IN. At age three, he moved with his family to Cuyahoga, Ohio, where he spent his childhood. An interest in sports was there from an early age, and he played freshman basketball with Thurman Munson at Kent in Ohio—a college he attended for a year. While at Kent, he joined the national guard ROTC, where he remained active for six years.

His sportsmanship landed him a 3-year scholarship at the University of Akron, majoring in health and physical education with a minor in speech. He went on to work at Copley High School in Copley, OH, as a JV basketball coach. Like they say, once a sports fan, always a sports fan, and Dick is living proof. Two of his most cherished possessions are a photo of him with legendary NBA Star Oscar Robertson and his custom Robert Stephen Simon athlete collage, both of which are proudly hung in his room at Tribute.

In 1971, Dick married a surgical nurse, and they had their beloved daughter Leslie two years later, in 1973. 

After dedicating his life to teaching and coaching, Dick retired in his 60s and proceeded to care for his elderly parents for a few years. 

Dick has two grandchildren—Jackson and Isabelle, who he adores. He moved to Tribute earlier this year to be near his daughter and grandkids. 

Having Dick as part of our community is a true privilege, and anyone who has the opportunity to sit down and speak with him can count themselves lucky.