Richard P. Crihfield

Services for Richard P. Crihfield, 97, of Mentor, will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Avenue, Willoughby.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the funeral home.

Mr. Crihfield passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Born September 10, 1928 in Cleveland, he had lived in Willoughby before moving to Mayfield Heights and then to Mentor in 2024.

He was a United States Army Air Corps (now U.S. Air Force) veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. Dick’s first love was his wife and family, followed closely by aviation. He loved to share stories about how proud he was of his daughters and grandson.

Mr. Crihfield was employed as a tool and die maker at Associated Enterprises in Painesville, retiring in 2001 after 20 years of service. Prior to his employment there, he worked as a flight instructor and after retirement he worked as driving instructor until age 90.

Anyone who knew Dick knew that his heart was in the sky. His love of aviation was not just a hobby, but one of the loves of his life. From his time in the Army Air Corps (Air Force), to building his own plane, much of his time was spent flying or working on his plane.

Survivors are his beloved wife of 62 years, Eileen (Varner); daughters, April (Russell) Crihfield-Reed and Dr. Kimberly Crihfield (Howard Hiton) and grandson, Richard Reed. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and their families and his beloved cat, Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ada (Gradwell) Crihfield and sister, Claire Krayer.

Final resting place will be in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Geauga Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, OH 44072.