Richard Alan Lefken

Richard Alan Lefken, a dedicated microbiologist, beloved brother, uncle, and devoted Buckeye fan, passed away peacefully at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 74 years old.

Born on February 7, 1952, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Richard’s father was transferred to the Veterans Administration Center, and the family lived among a community of resident families for 10 years — a simpler time of playing outside until dark, riding bikes, fishing, fossil hunting, and visiting the cemetery of their beloved veterans. Those years laid the foundation for a life marked by intellectual curiosity, strong values, love of country, and enduring bonds of friendship and family.

Richard attended Resurrection Grade School and St. Charles Borromeo Grade School in Kettering, OH. He was a graduate of Archbishop Alter High School, Class of 1971. He enjoyed pickup football games, and his family fondly remembers music drifting up from the basement as he played his Fender guitar with his garage band buddies. He later attended Wright State University, then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree from The Ohio State University in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry, an institution he remained fiercely loyal to as a lifelong Buckeye.

Richard’s career in microbiology spanned more than four decades and reflected his quiet dedication to protecting public health. He began his lab work at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, then served at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dayton, before joining the Cincinnati Health Department, where he spent the remainder of his career as a Microbiologist, managing clinical and environmental microbiology operations and supervising a team of dedicated technicians. His work touched countless lives through the community’s health and safety. Richard also contributed to published scientific research, including co-authoring work in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology and the Journal of Environmental Health.

Outside of the lab, Richard was a man of simple and genuine pleasures. He loved American History, a good cup of coffee, and wandering through a museum. He could energize a room talking about cars, World War II, and classic movies and television, and he could hardly wait for those autumn Saturdays — sacred days reserved for cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes with the kind of passion only a true fan knows. Above all, he cherished time with his family, prayer, and the people who knew him best and loved him most.

Richard is survived by his four sisters: Lesley Lefken; Valerie Krasne (Jay); Natalie Lynch (Brian); and Ann Thompson. He was a beloved uncle to Amanda, Benjamin, and Caroline Thompson; Meredith Ridge; and Joseph Lynch, each of whom he held close to his heart, as well as three grandnephews and one grandniece.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Dr. Edward and Esther (Monroe) Lefken, and his beloved Aunt Jane Lefken.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 3033 Far Hills Avenue, Kettering, Ohio 45429. Visitation will be held in the reception area of the church at 11:00 a.m., prior to the service. Richard will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fisher House Foundation — Dayton for families of Veterans who are receiving medical care at the Dayton Veterans Hospital:

VAMC Fisher House, 4100 W. Third St., Bldg. 425, Dayton, Ohio 45428

Attn: Betsey Striebel, in memory of Richard Alan Lefken

Online donations: donate.fisherhouse.org/Dayton