Richard Fenlon

Richard "Dick" Fenlon died October 11 at Kobacker House at the age of 91. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on July 13, 1930 Dick was a 1948 graduate of Saint Charles High School and later graduated from Ohio State University. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Roberta (Nee Mclain) and his daughter Judy. He is survived by three sons Rick, James, and John. Dick was a newsman. Beginning in 1955 at the Findlay Republican-Courier, he then spent time at the Cincinnati Enquirer, and Ohio State Journal. In 1962 he began a 19-year career at the Louisville Courier- Journal and Times. In 1970 he was awarded the Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. In 1977 he was awarded First Place Column Writing by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In 1981 he returned home and began his 16-year career with the Columbus Dispatch. In 1982 he was awarded Best Sports Column by the Ohio Associated Press Sportswriters Association and in 1993 Best Game Story. In 1997 he was inducted into the United States Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame. He retired that same year. Dick was never afraid from taking on the local sacred cows, whether they be college or pro. He chuckled when disgruntled fans mailed him a bus ticket and his column between two slices of bread. But most of all he was devoted husband and loving father. The funeral mass will be held at Resurrection Cemetery chapel on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank or Kobacker House. The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to all those at Ohio Health Hospice.  

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