Richard N. Kondik

With gentle peace and a heart full of music, Richard Norman Kondik passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the age of 91. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, and musician, Richard’s life was a beautiful composition of love, learning, and legacy.

Born in Newbury, Ohio, on January 21, 1934, to James S. and Everal R. (Braun) Kondik, Richard grew up with a deep appreciation for knowledge and the arts. He graduated from Willoughby High School in 1951 and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in 1957, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity along with the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. His thirst for learning never slowed — earning a Master’s in Administration from the University of Toledo and taking additional graduate coursework at several universities, always believing there was more to discover, more to give.

As a young man, Richard led the Norm Kondik Orchestra, performing big band favorites from the 1940s — music that made people dance, laugh, and fall in love. Even as he traveled on weekends, often as far as New Jersey, his heart remained grounded in Ohio.

On October 26, 1957, Richard married the love of his life, Mary Agnes Rudolph. For 67 wonderful years, they walked side by side — a quiet, constant pair whose love was as steady as the rhythm of his favorite songs.

He was a proud father to Linda (Ricky) Miller of McComb, Ohio, and Steven (Shannon) Kondik of Jonesborough, Tennessee. His younger brother, Roger Kondik, survives him as well.

Richard was lovingly known as “Grandpa” to Sarah (Morgan) Simmons, David (Amber) Felgar, Matthew (Sara) Kondik, Amanda (Jacob) Leffler, Heather (Kurt) Geiger, and Jonathan (Rachel) Potter, and “Great-Grandpa” to thirteen bright lights in his life: Ryleigh, Kamryn, Braelynn, Macon, Kheivan, Jordyn, Jeremiiah, Lawson, Mason, Tyler, Robert, Abbie, and Eliza. Nothing brought him more joy than a visit, a hug, or a small moment shared with them.

He is now reunited with his beloved wife Mary, his parents, and his sister Eugenia Cashmere — surely organizing a band in heaven.

Richard’s teaching career was truly a labor of love. He brought music to life in classrooms across Northwest Ohio — from Portage Township in Wood County and Bloomville, to North Baltimore, Woodmore, and finally Findlay, where he retired in 1985. Even retirement couldn’t keep him from the classroom — he continued teaching beginning band at St. Michael Catholic School in Findlay from 1991 to 2016. For nearly 70 years, Richard gave instrumental private lessons to so many students, sharing his passion generously with anyone eager to learn.

As an adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association from 1965 to 2015, he spent countless weekends encouraging young musicians across the state. Mary often joined him on these trips — a team, in music and in life.

He was a proud member of many organizations that reflected his calling: OMEA, ASBDA, OEA, NBA, and MENC.

Outside of music, Richard had a quiet joy in the simple things: tending to his flowers and vegetables, collecting coins, and building with his hands. Everything he touched, he treated with care.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 30, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Ave., Findlay, Ohio.
A memorial service will follow on Tuesday, July 1, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St., Findlay, Ohio. Burial will take place at 4:00 p.m. at Hockman Cemetery in McClure, Ohio.

To honor Richard’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to:
First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St., Findlay, Ohio or The American Diabetes Association

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