TBDBITL Alumni Club

The Best Damn Band In The Land - The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni

John Richard Mitchell

September 18, 1927 - March 20, 2015

Dr. John R. (Dick) Mitchell died on March 20, 2015. He was 87 years old. Dick was born in Union County, Ohio and grew up on a farm. He earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University and had a practice in central Ohio. He then graduated from the University of Michigan with a Doctorate of Public Health. After two years as a research scientist in Alabama, Dick moved his family to East Lansing and had an extended career as Chief of the Biological Products Division of the State of Michigan Public Health Laboratories. A long time member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, he was active there as an elder and deacon. He had a fine baritone voice. Dick and Lou always sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lou Ann; children Jeff (Mary Gleason) Mitchell, Lisa (Michael) Whaley and Jane (Piet) Lindhout; grandchildren Erin Lowery, Jill Ousley, Dana Lindhout and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church at 11 am on Monday, April 6. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church at 1315 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.

John was a member of the marching band in 1945.