Richard Lumenello Obituary (2021) – Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Richard M. Lumenello, age 83, of Akron, Ohio, formerly of Boise, ID, passed away on September 1, 2021 after a short illness. Dick was the ultimate storyteller, an avid fly-fisherman and golfer, and a crossword puzzle master, who loved to cook and entertain for his friends who were like family. Lumi, as he was affectionately called, was a best friend to so many. Born September 10, 1937 in Ballardvale, MA, Dick earned a football scholarship to Oregon State, and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He started his radio sales career in Oregon and California, and while traveling to Boston, he charmed the flight attendants into becoming a stow away. In 1964, Dick and flight attendant Gerry were married in San Francisco. In 1967 he somehow convinced Gerry to leave sunny California to move to Akron to become President/General Manager of WSLR/WKDD. He was inducted into the Akron Radio Hall of Fame in 1987. Dick and Gerry loved their time in Akron raising 2 daughters among cherished neighborhood friends and playing golf with the “Honey Bunchers” at Fairlawn Country Club. An ambidextrous golfer, Lumi achieved a 71 playing both left and right-handed at FCC. Lumi loved sports, especially his Browns, Indians, and Buckeyes. Sundays were for playing gin rummy with his girls while watching NFL or golf. However, what he loved the most was fly fishing. He could often be found practicing his casting on his fly rod in the middle of the street in front of his Akron home. Dick’s fishing adventures took him far and wide, including Quebec’s George River, Idaho’s Henry’s Fork, and Chile. His love of fishing took Dick and Gerry to Boise in 1991, where he continued his radio career with KIDO / Clear Channel until his retirement in 2004. He and Gerry continued their love of golf and friendships at Crane Creek in Boise. They spent much of their time RV’ing through the National Parks of the West. All Dick needed was a cooler with a beer, sandwich, and fishing rod, and he would hop in the RV for a scenic drive of his beloved Idaho. He enjoyed spending winters playing golf in the Palm Desert, CA sunshine. In 2020, Dick and Gerry moved to Cuyahoga Falls to be close to family. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Edith Lumenello. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 57 years, Gerry; loving father to daughters, Lesley Bowers (Mark) and Laura Getch (Steve); and fun-loving Grampy to Marissa and Will Bowers and Finley and Griffin Getch. He is also survived by his sister Betty Ann Baker of Cabot, VT. A Celebration of Life gathering will occur on Sunday, September 12 between 2 – 5 p.m. at Sheraton Suites, 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice, or to the Idaho Conservation League. https://www.idahoconservation.org/donate/, PO Box 844 Boise, ID 83701.