Fredric "Ric" Vohlers

Fredric J. Vohlers “Ric” of Powell, Ohio, and formerly of Dublin, Ohio, passed away of congestive heart failure and a stroke, at Kobacker House on Monday, April 24, 2017. Ric retired from Columbus City Schools in 2004. He taught business related subjects, English, and computing at a number of schools over the years, including Everett Middle School, West High School, finishing at Brookhaven High School. Having completed one year of law school at John Marshall University in Cleveland, Ric was able to teach many important life skills, in addition to required course content. He often involved the students in discussions, on sometimes controversial subjects such as “Should football be banned because of head injuries?” This got them excited about sharing their opinions in organized three or five paragraph themes. Ric loved learning, and enjoyed having an encyclopedia at his fingertips on the computer. He was an avid reader from an early age, and often surprised family and students with his understanding and knowledge of a wide range of subjects, from sports statistics to history to pop music. Introducing young people to Shakespeare, through the teaching of Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, brought immense satisfaction. Ric spent his childhood in Upper Arlington, where he attended St. Agatha School through 8th grade. Ric was educated at Northmont High School in the Dayton area, and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business degree in 1971 from Miami University of Ohio.  He then went on to obtain his teaching certification from The Ohio State University. Ric married Dianne J. Barney in 1977. He happily took on the joy of helping Dianne raise her two children from a previous marriage, Colleen Beth Barney and Cullen Patrick Barney.  He was rewarded by watching them grow into loving, responsible, independent adults. Ric gave Dianne her first set of oil paints, which encouraged her to paint and share her work with friends and family through the years. Ric loved Dianne passionately, and was protective and supportive of her in all her endeavours.  They had recently figured they had spent only 20 days apart in their forty years of marriage. Ric and Dianne have two children together, Margaret “Greta” Susan Vohlers, of Sacramento, Ca, and Joseph Robert Vohlers, who passed away at age 19 in 2005, of sudden cardiac arrest. Ric is preceded in death by his beloved son Joseph Robert Vohlers, his younger brother Robert Vohlers, father A. Joseph Vohlers, fraternal grandparents Al and Theresa Vohlers, and maternal grandparents, Margaret and Fredrick Schmitt. Ric leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Dianne, daughter Greta, his stepchildren Colleen Barney (Neil Campbell) and Cullen Barney (Melissa). Ric also leaves his mother, Margaret Vohlers, sister Susan Bleyl, brother Bill Vohlers, and sister-in-law Martha “Marti” Vohlers. Ric loved his grandchildren. He lived close to Colleen’s three children Jimmy, Evan and Lily Campbell and was a regular part of their lives. He wished he had been able to spend more time with the young children of Cullen and Melissa Barney of Bay Village, Oh. “Keep shooting those hoops, Owen.” A word must be said about Ric’s loyalty and almost obsessive enthusiasm for his favorite football team, The Cleveland Browns. He enjoyed writing about his Browns on web sites, and  loved watching Jim Donovan, Tony Grossi, and Doug Dieken on “The Red Zone.” Lou Groza was his hero for the way he led his life, both on and off the field. The family would like to thank the Neurology Department of Riverside Methodist Hospital for the wonderful care Ric received after his stroke. The Palliative Care team at Riverside, headed by Steve Rice, Dr. Winnie Moazampour, and social worker, Jill Yahner, made his transition to Hospice care as easy as one could hope for under the circumstances, addressing all our questions and fears. Our family truly appreciates the wonderful care and support received by Ohio Health Hospice, and Kobacker House, including all the incredibly caring and supportive social workers, nurses and aides who provided comfort care in Ric’s final days. Funeral arrangements are being made by Tidd Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, Ohio, 43026 (614)-876-1722. Ric will be placed to rest in Resurrection Cemetery. If you would like to make a donation in Fredric’s name, we recommend either the Joseph Vohlers Catholic School Endowment Fund, c/o St. Brigid of Kildare Church, 7179 Avery Rd., Dublin, OH 43017 or Ohio Health Hospice, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, OH 43214. Please visit www.tiddfuneralservice.com to send condolences to the Vohlers Family.