Richard Lee “Dick” Persinger
February 28, 1939 ~ June 17, 2016
Richard Lee “Dick” Persinger, 77, died on Friday, June 17, 2016, in Kokomo, Indiana, where he had made his home for the past 20 years. He was born in Marion, Indiana, on February 28, 1939.
Mr. Persinger was a 1957 graduate of Marion High School and was a successful student as well as a standout for the Marion Giants in basketball and baseball. After graduating from Indiana University, he returned to Marion to teach and coach, first at Washington Jr. High School and then Marion High School. He taught health and physical education, and he served under Jack Colescott as Assistant Coach during the 1960s when the Marion Giants basketball program began its return to greatness, concluding in back-to-back state finals appearances in 1968 and 1969. He also served as Head Coach of the Giants in the 60s and led the team to their first baseball state finals appearance in 1968.
Concluding his coaching career in 1970, Mr. Persinger moved into administration at Marion High School, beginning as Dean of Boys. He later served as Assistant Principal, and, in 1976, was named Principal of Marion High School. His 10-year term as MHS Principal marked a golden era at MHS when the school was bustling with vibrancy. MHS was served by an energetic and able faculty and staff and, at the time, was one of the largest and most accomplished schools in the state. Richie Walton directed the best musical group in the state, and Bill Green was leading the basketball squad to great achievements.
But the heart of what Mr. Persinger achieved as Principal of MHS is not measured in trophies or even academic awards. As Principal, he made a tremendous, positive impact in the lives of thousands of students, and he did it largely in a one-on-one manner, relating to students as individuals.
He was the kind of principal more likely to be found in the hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms rather than the office. He was literally a “hands-on” leader, shaking hands, patting students on the back, and working the hallways. If a student had a problem, or if a student was the cause of a problem, he knew how to reach the student. He knew when to give a kid a break and how to motivate a student to make positive changes.
Mr. Persinger also served on many civic boards and commissions, and he served three terms on the Marion City Council. He was inducted into the Marion High School Hall of Distinction in 2015. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Kokomo.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Persinger, Kokomo; one sister, Judy Felton, Marion; four children, Jodi (Paul) Radziewicz, Fort Wayne, Craig (Sarah) Persinger, Marion, Kyle (Kari) Persinger, Marion, and Eric (Shannon) Persinger, Fort Wayne. He has eight grandchildren and is also survived by his faithful canine companion, Murphy.
Viewing will be on Monday, June 27, 2016, from 3-8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 624 S. Adams St., Marion, IN.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, also at First United Methodist Church, Marion. The Rev. Dr. John R. Myers will preside.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Giant Dreams Fund”, benefiting Academic, Athletics, and Arts programs at Marion High School, c/o the Community Foundation of Grant County, Inc., 505 W. Third St., Marion, IN 46952; the Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952; or
The Kokomo Humane Society, 713 N. Elizabeth St., Kokomo, IN 46901.
Online condolences may be made to www.nswcares.com.