Aug. 1, 1917 - Dec. 21, 2012

ELKHART - Richard E. Cocks, 95, a retired chemical engineer, died at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Greenleaf Healthcare Center in Elkhart.

He was born Aug. 1, 1917, in Coldwater, Mich., to Harry A. and Nina Hall Cocks. He married Anna Pearl Rhodes on June 20, 1943, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo, Mich. She died Feb. 1, 2010.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Michael (Margaret) Row of Elkhart and Mrs. Ronald (Valerie) Roughton of Mishawaka; four grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew (Stephannie) Row, Elizabeth Row Robinson and Hope Elaine Roughton; and three great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Jessica Robinson and Destiny Row.

Three sisters and one brother preceded him in death.

Mr. Cocks retired from Bayer (Miles) in 1982 after 27 years. He started as a chemical engineer in the engineering department of Miles and was promoted through management positions and retired as manager of corporate real estate and facilities planning. Prior to joining Miles/Bayer, he was supervisor at Radford (Virginia) Ordnance Works for Hercules Powder Co., a division superintendent for Victor Chemical Works (Tennessee) and department head in Panelyte Division of St. Regis Paper Co. in Kalamazoo.

He earned a life certificate for teaching and a Bachelor of Arts degree from what is now Western Michigan University. He went on to the University of Illinois, where he received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.

He was a registered professional engineer in Indiana and Ohio, and member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, American Chemical Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was a past member of the American Society of Testing and Materials, Industrial Development Research Council and National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives.

He was one of the first advisers for Junior Achievement in 1962-63 and worked on many United Way Fund drives. He was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where he served as lay leader, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and a member of the vestry. He was a member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge F&AM, Starlight Chapter of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and was an active Lions Club member. He had been listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in Engineering and Who's Who in Real Estate.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Daniel Repp officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater, Mich.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church. Online condolences may be sent at www.hartzlergutermuthinman.com.