Richard L. Grope 1953-2024

Born Nov. 14, 1953, in Youngstown, Richard was the son of John and Alverda Donahue Grope.

Richard was a 1972 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Rick played Little League baseball and was an avid player. After high school, Rick went to work at Wean United while continuing his baseball dreams. Rick was a good pitcher and was recruited by the Texas Rangers for a tryout.

Unfortunately, a tragic work accident happened and Rick lost his leg before he could participate in the tryout. The loss of his leg motivated him to learn all he could about prosthetics.

He continued his education and majored in prosthetics in Memphis, Tennessee, Indiana University and YSU. He was the owner and founder of Western Reserve Orthotics and Prosthetics, where he was a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist and was known by his patients and throughout the area as an expert in his field. He loved taking care of his patients and they loved his compassionate and caring treatment.

Rick was a spiritual man and a member of Grace Church of the Nazarene.

He loved being surrounded by family and friends. No holiday was too small not to have everyone over. Some of his favorite times were spent with the guys he knew and loved from the Class of ’72.

Rick had varied interests. Baseball was his passion, but music was a close second. He loved Joe Bonamassa and saw him live many times. Rick loved working with wood and made many pieces of raw-edge furniture that adorned his and many other homes. Other interests were NASCAR and he attended many NASCAR racing events. Hawaii was the favored vacation spot, but was always to be shared with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Grope; his daughters, Angela (Joe) Melia and Season (Chris) Kramer; his grandchildren, Brenna Melia, Brayden Melia and Brylee Melia, and Kayla White, Zachary White and Stephanie (Wyatt) Strickland; his siblings, Robert (Phyllis) Grope and Connie Coriston; and his great-grandchildren, Leilani, Harrison, Jonathan and Matthew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, James “Butch,” Dennis “Porky” and David.

The family will receive relatives and friends 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at Youngstown Grace Church, 5253 W. Webb Road, Austintown. A funeral service will be held at noon Monday at the church.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Patriot Hospice for their support and compassionate care through this difficult time.

To share thoughts of sympathy, visit lanefuneralhomes.com.

(special notice)