1928-2019
Richard E. “Dick” Tanner, 90, of Camden, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, at his residence surrounded by his family. Oakdale Funeral Home of Camden was in charge of arrangements and his cremation.
Mr. Tanner was born Nov. 26, 1928, in Elizabeth, Pa., to the late Berton C. and Hazel C. Isner Tanner. He shared with his children and grandchildren a strong work ethic and a deep respect for education. He mentored, taught and encouraged all of his family in achieving their dreams and goals. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving during WWII aboard the destroyers USS Grayson and USS Gyatt. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a patternmaker, foundryman and quality control manager at foundries, including Dayton-Walther at Union City, Camden Castings Center in Camden, as well as shops in Greensburg, Pa., and Portsmouth, Ohio. He retired as an engineer from Honda of America in 2000, where he supervised the pattern shop and iron foundry at the engine plant in Anna, Ohio. While in Pennsylvania, he was a former competitive archer and semi-professional football player. He loved the mountains and wilderness, and spent many happy hours camping, hunting, and fishing, and was a highly skilled woodworker and craftsman who built beautiful houses, furniture and other items for his family. He also enjoyed buying presents for his family and bargain hunting at the flea market in Crump.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Berton C. Tanner, II, and Howard Tanner.
He is survived by his wife, Zang Tanner, whom he married on Nov. 27, 1947; two daughters, Caroline (Pam Zumwait) Tanner, of Berkeley, Calif., and Catherine (Larry) Shannon, of Goldvein, Va.,; a son, Glenn (Yvonne) Tanner, of Camden; seven grandchildren, Ana (Samir) Patel, Joshua (Melissa), Avram (Thora), Samuel (Aleatha), and Luke Shannon, Sariah (David) Florio and Amy Tanner, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice organization of your choice, The Wounded Warrior Project or The Nature Conservancy.
