Richard Michael Tuttle - Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home

#1 from:

Blitzstein Moira
Delaware Ohio

Fri, Jul 29, 2022 at 6:56 PM

So sorry to hear of his passing. I know he will be deeply missed. He was my teacher many many years ago and made a lifelong impression. Only the best teachers can share their knowledge and passions in ways that students grow and draw on decades later. He was that teacher. His work lives on. May his memory be a comfort and a blessing.

#2 from:

Vikki (Peterson) Scholl
Delaware

Fri, Jul 29, 2022 at 10:32 PM

This news is so incredibly sad. He was an amazing teacher. Every time I see a bluebird I think of him. And probably will forever.

May his memory be eternal.

#3 from:

Rebecca George
Richwood

Sun, Jul 31, 2022 at 8:39 AM

I do remember when the Boy Scouts in Richwood were involved in building bluebird houses as a result of the inspiration of the work of Mr. Tuttle. I don't remember if we called him "Dick" or "Mike" or maybe Bob's brother, because his brother, Bob, was a local well known science teacher. My husband and my older son were both part of the Scouting program at that time and they built our bluebird house. I don't think we ever had any bluebirds but my cousin who lives farther out in the country tells me of seeing them now. That's the result of his work.

#4 from:

barbaramartin
Columbus, OH

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 9:52 AM

My condolences to Dick's family and friends.
As a volunteer with the Delaware County Preservation Parks I knew Dick as an avid advocate for blue birds in particular and wildlife in general. Central Ohio is so much richer in the numbers of bluebirds for whom he built homes or instructed others on building bluebird boxes. He not only established these boxes all through Central Ohio, but also attended them, protecting the young from invaders so that they would survive.
He will most certainly be missed.

#5 from:

Stormy Gibson
Columbus, OH

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 9:53 AM

Dick was an avid birder, dedicated scientist and a great story teller. I have so many memories of him. From his love of kestrels to his dedication to hands on learning, the conservation world benefited from Dick’s tenacity. I will miss our frank talks and laughs.

#6 from:

Betsy Hildebrand
Sunbury, OH

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 9:54 AM

Mr. Tuttle was one of my favorite teachers ever. I still have my bluebird house and my bug collection. He made science fun and engaging.

#7 from:

Tamaki Yuri
Columbus, OH

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 9:55 AM

I am very sad to hear of his passing. I am the curator of the tetrapods collection at the OSU Museum of Biological Diversity, and Dick was a great supporter of our collection for many years. I always enjoyed talking to him whenever he visited us with specimen donations as he was full of interesting stories about his bird conservation research projects. I wish I had had the opportunity to bring our Ohio Birds students to his study sites. He will be greatly missed.

#8 from:

Barbara Ann McNeal Boring Teague
Pickerington, Ohio

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 12:35 PM

Dear Russell,
I send my sincere condolences on hearing of your brother's passing. I pray for your health and well-being.
Sincerely,
Barb

#9 from:

Gail DeGood-Guy
Richwood, Ohio

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 5:11 PM

I remember meeting Dick when the Richwood Honor Guard performed military services for his brother, Mr.Bob Tuttle. He was so nice to our entire team and we appreciated his kind words to us. I am so very sorry your loss.

#10 from:

John and Kay Coder
Marion ohio

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 5:14 PM

We are sorry to here of Dick passing. Rip

We remain,
John and Kay Coder

#11 from:

Mark Rinnert
Palmetto Fl

Mon, Aug 1, 2022 at 11:20 PM

Dear family of Michael, I am truly sorry for your loss. Michael and I were together on memorial day weekend for our 60th class reunion, he was telling me of his recent surgery and I thought things were going well. We went all through school together and Michael always had something interesting to say. He had such an interest in wildlife and a philosophy for living, I know he will be missed by many. He was a good man and now he will be flying with the birds that he loved so much. My sincere condolences to the family, I’m glad Michael was a part of my life. The family is in my prayers.

#12 from:

Melanie Kelley
Tennessee

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 8:38 AM

It has been 50 years since I sat his Dick's classroom but those lessons are a driving force in my volunteer efforts for habitat restoration and conservation. I continue to use and promote the "Tuttle" model bluebird house. Most importantly, his impact as a teacher, both in the classroom and out in the wilds, lives on in ways he probably never imagined. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

#13 from:

Heidi Koon
Sunbury/ Mt Gilead

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 9:38 AM

Mr. Tuttle was so inspiring and such a wonderful man. I was lucky enough to have him as my science teacher at Big Walnut. He instilled in me such a love for nature. I recall I couldn't bring myself to killing the insects for my 7th grade insect collection so he allowed me to draw them instead. Every time I see a blue bird box in Delaware County and surrounding areas, I know he must have had a hand in it being there. I think of him often even now and I hope his family finds comfort in knowing he touched so many lives. May he rest in peace.

#14 from:

Steve and Lisa Leech
Leonardsburg, Ohio

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 2:25 PM

Dear Tuttle family,
So sorry for your loss! We’ll miss seeing Dick at the Delaware Wildlife Area and State Park checking his bluebird, tree swallow boxes. He was always friendly, loved chatting about bird progress and would answer all of our questions with his vast ornithology knowledge. Hopefully his successful project will be continued for all to enjoy! Best!

#15 from:

Rona Penix
Richwood

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 8:47 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you! Mr Tuttle was a was a nice person and good teacher.

#16 from:

Dale Whitaker
Lake Panasoffkee, Fl.

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 9:51 PM

Mike, was the best friend of Delaware state park., my son and I love talking with him for years at the park. A friend to all the birds in the park., He will be missed.

#17 from:

DARRELL M GAMMON
ALLIANCE, OHIO

Wed, Aug 3, 2022 at 10:16 AM

I am so sorry to hear the passing of this great, wonderful and kind man that I met during my time serving on the Ohio Bluebird Society trustee board. I learned from Dick so much over the years by talking to him personally or by email. I will truly miss him as will we all. My condolences to the family.

#18 from:

Lori Stover
Delaware, OH

Thu, Aug 4, 2022 at 8:56 AM

So very sorry to hear about Dick. I will miss seeing you at Wendy's, and talking about birds.

I'll always think of you when I see a Bluebird.

#19 from:

Kerry Novak
Ashley, Ohio

Fri, Aug 5, 2022 at 9:39 AM

Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He is one teacher that comes to mind often, especially when I see a blue bird or turtle because of all I learned from him in junior high. I hope you can find solace and peace in the legacy he leaves behind.

#20 from:

Bryan Sharp
Albemarle, NC

Fri, Aug 5, 2022 at 9:45 AM

I hope to some day foster as much interest in bird conservation as Dick did while working with people of all ages.

Sincerely,
Bryan

#21 from:

Darcie West-McGinnis
Laurelville, ohio

Sat, Aug 6, 2022 at 11:59 AM

Mr Tuttle was a one of a kind educator. I had the privilege of taking his science class in middle school. He instilled in me a love for wildlife. I went on to receive a degree in wildlife management and naturalist interpretation. Mr Tuttle's hands-on approached made many children interested in wildlife. I deeply appreciate his ability to pass on his passion. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on for generations.

#22 from:

Akram kareem
Oviedo, Florida

Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 5:40 PM

May the Lord bless his soul.

#23 from:

Becky Jordan
Summerton SC

Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 1:34 PM

My deepest condolences to the Tuttle family. I met Dick while we were volunteers with Preservation Parks of Delaware County. He was such a funny guy but also very dedicated. His passion for nature and the many birds species he cared about certainly made positive impacts. Dick supported the community he loved and made many great contributions. He will be missed.

#24 from:

Joan Pearse
Delaware, Ohio

Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 11:59 AM

Dick Tuttle was one in a billion. He was a wealth of information, and he shared it. This active conservationist will be greatly missed by all those who had the honor of working with him. I am so grateful that I had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Sending his family my deepest condolences.

#25 from:

Jim Walters
Iowa City, IA

Mon, Aug 22, 2022 at 10:17 PM

I was saddened to learn of Dick's death. I only met him once in person (many years ago, at a North American Bluebird Society [NABS] annual meeting in Minnesota), but after that we shared many communications over the years. We always wanted him to come out here to Iowa and be a speaker at one of our meetings, but unfortunately, that never came to pass.

I hope that his neighbors and friends in Ohio will attend to his bird houses.

Jim Walters
former President of the Johnson County Songbird Project

P.S. I was really happy to learn that Dick was a science teacher (which I didn't know), and to see remembrances from his students! Dick, you did well!