Richard Joseph Stainbrook

Richard Joseph Stainbrook I entered eternal rest in Jesus on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in Maumee, Ohio. He was 88. He was born to Oscar and Anna (Steih) Stainbrook on Aug. 31, 1934, in Toledo, a city he called home his entire life. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and later attended grade school. He graduated from Libbey High School and was drafted into the United States Army, where he served soon after the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he worked as an insulator for over 30 years and as a Toledo firefighter for over 25. He was a proud union member and remained involved in both professions long after his retirement. Dick married Leora (Carter) Stainbrook on Dec. 5, 1959, and together they had three sons: Richard II (Wendy), Steven (Kristine) and Daniel (Patti), who all reside in the Toledo area. He raised his sons in a Christian home and taught them to value an honest day's work, a free meal, and a discount car repair. Dick poured his time into supporting the endeavors of his three sons and 12 grandchildren. Over half a century, he attended thousands of baseball, softball, basketball, hockey and soccer games, as well as tennis matches, rowing, track and gymnastics meets - plus dozens of recitals, concerts, musicals, science fairs and graduations. He rarely expressed his love in words but showed it constantly in his presence. Dick loved to talk, and he loved people. He had a story about everything, he knew someone everywhere he went, and he never kept an opinion to himself. Every meeting he attended was too long, and his grandkids' playing time was too short. He attended every funeral he could to support friends and colleagues, and even as his memory began to fade, he still made time for old friends. Dick was as old-school as they come, but he was ahead of his time in knowing "a walk is as good as a hit" in baseball and softball. As a church-league dartball player, he knew the value of getting on base and usually led the team in batting average. He and Leora enjoyed bowling for many years, and they took frequent trips to Las Vegas. He spent countless hours volunteering with the Old Newsboys and at Trinity Lutheran Church, where his handyman skills usually produced a quick fix and a good laugh. During church services, he was the first to stand, the first to sit, and the first to let the pastor know whether the sermon was any good. He sang in church and he sang at birthday parties, which warmed the heart even more than it troubled the ears. For more than eight decades, he loved Jesus by loving others, and now he rests from his labors. Preceding Dick in death are his parents and his brother, Robert Charles Stainbrook I. Surviving are Leora, his wife of 63 years, as well as his three sons and their wives, 12 grandchildren and their spouses, and three (soon to be six) great-grandchildren. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Sunday, February 26 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. with a Sharing of Memories at 6:00 followed by the Last Alarm service at 6:15. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Monday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior, beginning at 10:00. Burial will be at Toledo Memorial Park with Military Honors. Memorial contribution may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, 4560 Glendale Ave., Toledo, OH 43614 or The Toledo Firefighters Museum, 918 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43612. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Richard Joseph Stainbrook

August 31, 1934 - February 20, 2023