Richard Lee Feltner of New Ross and Bradenton, Florida, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 31, 2020, at his home in New Ross. He was 82.
Mr. Feltner was an agricultural economist. He taught at Michigan State and University of Illinois before becoming the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Nixon and Ford. He then served as president of the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank in Louisville, Kentucky. He later became Dean of the School of Business at Bellarmine University, retiring from there. He was a member of the New Ross United Methodist Church, and served on the board of directors of USBank and Delta Dental of Kentucky. He also served in the Indiana National Guard for six years.
Born Oct. 16, 1938, at Crawfordsville, he was the son of Denver D. Feltner and Marcella Nees Feltner. He graduated from New Ross High School and earnedbachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue. He then earned a PhD from North Carolina State.
Surviving family includes: his wife of 38 years, Janet Feltner; son Rick (Cheryl) Feltner; daughter Susan (Steve) McElwain; son Kevin (Tina) Goetz; daughter Kimberly Goetz; eight grandchildren, Christina, Mike, Cameron, Scotty, Rick, Sean, Danny and Skylar; great-grandson Liam Goetz; and two sisters, Marcia Frazier and Nancy Hartley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Ruth Ann Croteau.
The family of Richard Feltner will have a gathering to remember his life later this year. Details will be announced as they become available. Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation to the New Ross United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 95, New Ross, IN 47968.
Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com.
