Richard E. "Dick" Atha, 88, of Oxford, died on Thursday, February 6, 2020. He was born on September 21, 1931 in Lafayette to the late Richard and Barbara (Bolling) Atha. He was a 1949 graduate of Otterbein High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State Teachers' College in 1957, Certification in Driver's Education from Purdue University in 1958, Masters of Science Degree Guidance & Counseling from Purdue University in 1964 and Masters Degree plus 30 Semester Hours. He obtained his Principal's License from Purdue University, in 1970. Richard served in the United States Army from November 1953 to September 1955. He married Rita Myers on June 1, 1957 in Rockville; she died on September 5, 2012. He then married Barbara Hay on September 19, 2015 in Oxford; she survives.
A few of many life experiences, as told by Dick, include playing in the National Basketball Association for the New York Knickerbockers & Detroit Pistons from 1955-1957, taught typing, bookkeeping, general business, physical education, health education and driver's education at Oxford High School from 1958-1964. He was a school counselor (K-12) at Oxford High School from 1964-1968, vocational counselor at Benton Central Area Vocational School from 1968-1970, Assistant Principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1970-1972, principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1972-1984. Athletic Director administering 18 Varsity sports and 10 Jr. High sports at Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School from 1984-1997 (serving 39 years in the same school district). His coaching experience included being head baseball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head junior varsity and varsity basketball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head track coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1966, head cross country coach at Oxford High School from 1959-1966, and head golf coach at Oxford High School from 1962-1968. For several years, while he was principal, Richard was head coach of the Girls' Basketball program at Benton Central High School from 1975-1976. He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, National Education Association, Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and an active and loyal member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oxford, where he was a Lector and Commentator and taught 7th & 8th Grade Catechism & CCD for 50 years. He also served on the Oxford Swim Pool Board, Oxford Town Council (1971-1991) and was Council President (1983-1991). Richard was extremely active and supportive of Oxford Community Baseball, organizing and coaching Little League, Pony League & Jr. Legion Baseball. He was also a Volunteer Coach for 5th & 6th grade basketball. A few of the honors and awards that Richard received over the years include Helms Foundation Basketball All-American (1953), NAIA All-Tournament Team, (1953), inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1984), inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (1988), had the new multi-purpose gym at Benton Central named the Richard Atha Physical Education Complex (1990), recognized on the floor of the 108th Indiana General Assembly 2nd Session with a Resolution of Appreciation for his contributions to basketball and his community, received the Edgar P. Williams Award of Outstanding Educational Service to Benton Community (1994), received the Charles F. Maas Service Award for District 1 of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (1996), nominated for Athletic Director of the year for Indiana District 1, chosen as the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year (1997), chosen as the Athletic Director of the Year by West Central Junior Conference and Middle School Athletic Conference (1997), named a Sagamore on the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon for contributions to School & Community (1997), named to the Indiana State University Sycamore Basketball All-Century Team (1999) and received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award (2003). Richard had a strong belief in sportsmanship and being a good teammate. That is the reason he started the Annual Sportsmanship Award Banquet for the past 27 years. He was a lifelong and die-hard Cubs fan and his lifelong dream came true when his beloved Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Richard is survived by his wife; eight children; 25 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; one brother; five stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife and his brother, Daniel Atha.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 3:30-8 PM in the Atha Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School, 4241 East 300 South, Oxford, IN. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Arena Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School with Father Robert Klemme officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
A few of many life experiences, as told by Dick, include playing in the National Basketball Association for the New York Knickerbockers & Detroit Pistons from 1955-1957, taught typing, bookkeeping, general business, physical education, health education and driver's education at Oxford High School from 1958-1964. He was a school counselor (K-12) at Oxford High School from 1964-1968, vocational counselor at Benton Central Area Vocational School from 1968-1970, Assistant Principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1970-1972, principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1972-1984. Athletic Director administering 18 Varsity sports and 10 Jr. High sports at Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School from 1984-1997 (serving 39 years in the same school district). His coaching experience included being head baseball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head junior varsity and varsity basketball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head track coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1966, head cross country coach at Oxford High School from 1959-1966, and head golf coach at Oxford High School from 1962-1968. For several years, while he was principal, Richard was head coach of the Girls' Basketball program at Benton Central High School from 1975-1976. He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, National Education Association, Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and an active and loyal member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oxford, where he was a Lector and Commentator and taught 7th & 8th Grade Catechism & CCD for 50 years. He also served on the Oxford Swim Pool Board, Oxford Town Council (1971-1991) and was Council President (1983-1991). Richard was extremely active and supportive of Oxford Community Baseball, organizing and coaching Little League, Pony League & Jr. Legion Baseball. He was also a Volunteer Coach for 5th & 6th grade basketball. A few of the honors and awards that Richard received over the years include Helms Foundation Basketball All-American (1953), NAIA All-Tournament Team, (1953), inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1984), inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (1988), had the new multi-purpose gym at Benton Central named the Richard Atha Physical Education Complex (1990), recognized on the floor of the 108th Indiana General Assembly 2nd Session with a Resolution of Appreciation for his contributions to basketball and his community, received the Edgar P. Williams Award of Outstanding Educational Service to Benton Community (1994), received the Charles F. Maas Service Award for District 1 of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (1996), nominated for Athletic Director of the year for Indiana District 1, chosen as the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year (1997), chosen as the Athletic Director of the Year by West Central Junior Conference and Middle School Athletic Conference (1997), named a Sagamore on the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon for contributions to School & Community (1997), named to the Indiana State University Sycamore Basketball All-Century Team (1999) and received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award (2003). Richard had a strong belief in sportsmanship and being a good teammate. That is the reason he started the Annual Sportsmanship Award Banquet for the past 27 years. He was a lifelong and die-hard Cubs fan and his lifelong dream came true when his beloved Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Richard is survived by his wife; eight children; 25 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; one brother; five stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife and his brother, Daniel Atha.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 3:30-8 PM in the Atha Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School, 4241 East 300 South, Oxford, IN. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Arena Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School with Father Robert Klemme officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Richard E. "Dick" Atha, 88, of Oxford, died on Thursday, February 6, 2020. He was born on September 21, 1931 in Lafayette to the late Richard and Barbara (Bolling) Atha. He was a 1949 graduate of Otterbein High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State Teachers' College in 1957, Certification in Driver's Education from Purdue University in 1958, Masters of Science Degree Guidance & Counseling from Purdue University in 1964 and Masters Degree plus 30 Semester Hours. He obtained his Principal's License from Purdue University, in 1970. Richard served in the United States Army from November 1953 to September 1955. He married Rita Myers on June 1, 1957 in Rockville; she died on September 5, 2012. He then married Barbara Hay on September 19, 2015 in Oxford; she survives.
A few of many life experiences, as told by Dick, include playing in the National Basketball Association for the New York Knickerbockers & Detroit Pistons from 1955-1957, taught typing, bookkeeping, general business, physical education, health education and driver's education at Oxford High School from 1958-1964. He was a school counselor (K-12) at Oxford High School from 1964-1968, vocational counselor at Benton Central Area Vocational School from 1968-1970, Assistant Principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1970-1972, principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1972-1984. Athletic Director administering 18 Varsity sports and 10 Jr. High sports at Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School from 1984-1997 (serving 39 years in the same school district). His coaching experience included being head baseball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head junior varsity and varsity basketball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head track coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1966, head cross country coach at Oxford High School from 1959-1966, and head golf coach at Oxford High School from 1962-1968. For several years, while he was principal, Richard was head coach of the Girls' Basketball program at Benton Central High School from 1975-1976. He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, National Education Association, Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and an active and loyal member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oxford, where he was a Lector and Commentator and taught 7th & 8th Grade Catechism & CCD for 50 years. He also served on the Oxford Swim Pool Board, Oxford Town Council (1971-1991) and was Council President (1983-1991). Richard was extremely active and supportive of Oxford Community Baseball, organizing and coaching Little League, Pony League & Jr. Legion Baseball. He was also a Volunteer Coach for 5th & 6th grade basketball. A few of the honors and awards that Richard received over the years include Helms Foundation Basketball All-American (1953), NAIA All-Tournament Team, (1953), inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1984), inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (1988), had the new multi-purpose gym at Benton Central named the Richard Atha Physical Education Complex (1990), recognized on the floor of the 108th Indiana General Assembly 2nd Session with a Resolution of Appreciation for his contributions to basketball and his community, received the Edgar P. Williams Award of Outstanding Educational Service to Benton Community (1994), received the Charles F. Maas Service Award for District 1 of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (1996), nominated for Athletic Director of the year for Indiana District 1, chosen as the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year (1997), chosen as the Athletic Director of the Year by West Central Junior Conference and Middle School Athletic Conference (1997), named a Sagamore on the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon for contributions to School & Community (1997), named to the Indiana State University Sycamore Basketball All-Century Team (1999) and received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award (2003). Richard had a strong belief in sportsmanship and being a good teammate. That is the reason he started the Annual Sportsmanship Award Banquet for the past 27 years. He was a lifelong and die-hard Cubs fan and his lifelong dream came true when his beloved Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Richard is survived by his wife; eight children; 25 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; one brother; five stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife and his brother, Daniel Atha.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 3:30-8 PM in the Atha Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School, 4241 East 300 South, Oxford, IN. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Arena Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School with Father Robert Klemme officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
A few of many life experiences, as told by Dick, include playing in the National Basketball Association for the New York Knickerbockers & Detroit Pistons from 1955-1957, taught typing, bookkeeping, general business, physical education, health education and driver's education at Oxford High School from 1958-1964. He was a school counselor (K-12) at Oxford High School from 1964-1968, vocational counselor at Benton Central Area Vocational School from 1968-1970, Assistant Principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1970-1972, principal at Benton Central Sr. High School from 1972-1984. Athletic Director administering 18 Varsity sports and 10 Jr. High sports at Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School from 1984-1997 (serving 39 years in the same school district). His coaching experience included being head baseball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head junior varsity and varsity basketball coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1968, head track coach at Oxford High School from 1958-1966, head cross country coach at Oxford High School from 1959-1966, and head golf coach at Oxford High School from 1962-1968. For several years, while he was principal, Richard was head coach of the Girls' Basketball program at Benton Central High School from 1975-1976. He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, National Education Association, Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and an active and loyal member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oxford, where he was a Lector and Commentator and taught 7th & 8th Grade Catechism & CCD for 50 years. He also served on the Oxford Swim Pool Board, Oxford Town Council (1971-1991) and was Council President (1983-1991). Richard was extremely active and supportive of Oxford Community Baseball, organizing and coaching Little League, Pony League & Jr. Legion Baseball. He was also a Volunteer Coach for 5th & 6th grade basketball. A few of the honors and awards that Richard received over the years include Helms Foundation Basketball All-American (1953), NAIA All-Tournament Team, (1953), inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1984), inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (1988), had the new multi-purpose gym at Benton Central named the Richard Atha Physical Education Complex (1990), recognized on the floor of the 108th Indiana General Assembly 2nd Session with a Resolution of Appreciation for his contributions to basketball and his community, received the Edgar P. Williams Award of Outstanding Educational Service to Benton Community (1994), received the Charles F. Maas Service Award for District 1 of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (1996), nominated for Athletic Director of the year for Indiana District 1, chosen as the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year (1997), chosen as the Athletic Director of the Year by West Central Junior Conference and Middle School Athletic Conference (1997), named a Sagamore on the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon for contributions to School & Community (1997), named to the Indiana State University Sycamore Basketball All-Century Team (1999) and received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award (2003). Richard had a strong belief in sportsmanship and being a good teammate. That is the reason he started the Annual Sportsmanship Award Banquet for the past 27 years. He was a lifelong and die-hard Cubs fan and his lifelong dream came true when his beloved Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Richard is survived by his wife; eight children; 25 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; one brother; five stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife and his brother, Daniel Atha.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 3:30-8 PM in the Atha Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School, 4241 East 300 South, Oxford, IN. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Arena Gym at Benton Central Jr/Sr High School with Father Robert Klemme officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
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