Obituary of Richard A. Roush

Richard Allen Roush passed from this life on January 6, 2013. Richard was born in Fairmont, WV, on March 1, 1942. He moved to Charlotte Harbor with his parents around 1954. Richard graduated from Charlotte High School in 1960, after which he attended Florida State University. He later graduated from floral design school in Chicago and returned to Charlotte Harbor to work with his mother at Georgia's Flower Shop, which she founded. As a local business owner, Richard became a member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, and the Charlotte Harbor Rotary where he served a term as club president. Richard became involved in the Port Charlotte Little League in around 1979 as a manager when his son, Craig, played baseball. He was actively involved in the league for over 20 years, well after Craig graduated from the program. As a manager, he led many teams to division, league, and district championships and coached many all-star teams. He also served five years as league president and was instrumental in creating softball, junior and senior league, grapefruit, and challenger divisions during his tenure as league president. He felt that every kid who wanted to play baseball should play regardless of ability or ability to pay. In February of 1995, the newly constructed baseball and softball fields at the Harold Avenue Little League complex were named and dedicated by the county as "Roush Fields." This was an honor that he humbly accepted. He will forever be remembered by many as "Coach Dick." Richard was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Charlotte Harbor, which he attended from the time he moved to the area. He was lay speaker there and served on numerous committees and was often turned to for advice and guidance. Richard is survived by his son, Craig Roush of St. Petersburg; daughter, Dawn Roush of Port Charlotte; mother-in-law, Mary Louise Sheffer; brother-in-law, James W. and Linda Sheffer of Sarasota; and several nieces and nephews. He will be remembered and missed by girlfriend, June Slater of Port Charlotte, many friends, and thousands of children whose lives he touched. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Allen (Sheffer) Roush, daughter, Robin, and father-in-law, Harlan Sheffer. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 11, 2013 from 5-7:00PM at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 12687 SW County Road 769 in Lake Suzy. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 110:00AM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 23084 Seneca Avenue in Port Charlotte. Burial will follow at Charlotte Harbor Cemetery in Charlotte Harbor. Please visit Richard's tribute wall at www.schelmfh.com to share memories and to send condolences to the Roush family. Preferred donations may be made in loving memory of Richard to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 495895, Port Charlotte, FL 33949. Arrangements by Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Lake Suzy. Phone (941) 625-3535.