Richard Neil Bechtel

Born in Marion, Ohio, on the same date as another Marionite, President Warren G. Harding, the eldest son of Leonard L. and Eleanor G. Bechtel, he graduated from Harding High School, with a choice of several careers. Coming from a family of musicians, he showed promise as an instrumentalist, playing in a High School Dance Band, as well as the Marching Band. But he thought he wanted to become an architect or engineer, and enrolled in The Ohio State University’s Architectural School, graduating with his B. of Arch. Degree in 1955 along with his commission as an Ensign in the Regular Navy, and reported to Active Duty in San Diego a week later. As an architectural student, he demonstrated leadership qualities, serving as Student Chapter President of The American Institute of Architects, and was honored with the Columbus Chapter’s “student of the year” award.

While on active duty, he was selected to teach at The Naval Academy, considering a naval career, but that quickly changed when his orders were cancelled, and he was assigned as Task Force Engineering Staff Officer, responsible for the 1957 resupply of our DEW-line radar sites in the Arctic. Soured on a possible naval career at that point, he took his architectural license examination, passing, and made the decision to return to Ohio with his wife Mary Jacqueline (an elementary school teacher in the Long Beach School System), settling in Dayton where he began his career as an architect. After working for three Dayton architectural firms, he struck out on his own in 1963. His firm grew and expanded to a partnership of Bechtel, Longnecker & Ostendorf, which disbanded in 1975, when Bechtel Associates Architects, Inc. was established in Vandalia, Ohio. Ronald J. Leach now heads the firm, with an office in Springfield, Ohio, following Bechtel’s retirement in 1998.

During his active years of practice, he became well-known in the Health Care Design Field, designing many well-known facilities throughout the Midwest and South. But he also found time to contribute his time to the community he served. He spent 10 years as an elected member of the School Board in the Vandalia-Butler School District, where he maintained residency for twenty-seven years. He also spent ten years as a member and chairman of the Dayton Area Board of Building Standards & Appeals. His peers will remember him for his expertise in Building & Fire Codes, as he served on National Code Committees during his years of practice. He also served his professional organizations, including leading the Dayton Chapter of AIA, Board of Directors of both the Ohio AIA, and as Treasurer of AIA Ohio Foundation. At various times he also presided over the Dayton Exchange Club, the Dayton Chapter of the Navy League of the U.S. (and briefly as Regional V.P.), helped organize the Naval Sea Cadet program in Dayton, and served as a unit advisor for several years.

He found time to pursue his hobby of sailing, and loved spending weekend hours at Indian Lake, and is a Past Commodore of The Indian Lake Yacht Club. Many lunch hours were spent on the squash racquet courts of the downtown YMCA and the Racquet Club. He also loved singing, and is a former chorister in the Shiloh Church and David’s Church Choirs. On retirement to Florida, it wasn’t long before he joined The Barbershop Harmony Society, singing with the Cape Corale & The Chorus of the Keys (Sarasota), helping them win two District Championships.

In retirement in Florida, he hasn’t forgotten his alma mater at OSU, where he has assisted in raising money for the University & the Knowlton School of Architecture. He is a member of the Neil Legacy Society and has been recognized for his many contributions and achievements, and attended as many football games as possible. He also had lots of time for golf but was continually disappointed with his level of achievement!

He was predeceased by his second wife, Ethel Louise, and his younger brother Ben W. Bechtel, but is survived by his best friend Shelby Jean Cowles, and many, many loving stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, friends and co-workers. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services or memorials.

He has asked that everyone pray for this great country of opportunity and keep her safe from harm. His body will be cremated, and his ashes spread upon the waters of Indian Lake and Little Sarasota Bay.