Richard Merril Strawcutter, age 86, of Indiana, died Friday, October 11, 2013, at St. Andrew's Village, Indiana.

He was born in 1927 in Kane, to Alton M and Viola I (Lundberg) Strawcutter.

Mr. Strawcutter was a member of the Graystone Presbyterian Church.

Dick graduated from Indiana State Teachers College, earned a Masters degree at Columbia, then taught chemistry and biology at IUP for over 35 years. He served as pre-med adviser and chairman of the Allied Health department for many years. His passion was teaching and helping students be successful. He was instrumental in the formation of the state college and university faculty association (now APSCUF), served on the charter board of directors of the Mahoning Medical Center, and instituted an elective field trip program for general biology students at IUP.

He enjoyed camping, traveling, and playing both bridge and penny-poker.

Surviving are one son; Mark and wife Linda, Indiana; three daughters; Karen Socash and husband Matthew, Erie; Anne Miller and husband Keith, Windber; Laura Wilking and husband Stephen, Imperial; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren; one sister Carole Miller and husband Lyle, Mechanicsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his beloved wife of 63 years Jean J. Strawcutter in 2012

Friends will be received on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. and on Monday from 12 to 1 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana, where a funeral service will begin at 1 P.M. with the Rev. William Milligan officiating.

Burial will be made in the Oakland Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Allegheny Arboretum at IUP, G1 Sutton Hall, 1011 South Dr., Indiana, PA 15705, or the Graystone Presbyterian Church, 640 Church St., Indiana, PA 15701.