Richard A. Hinckley

Richard A. Hinckley, cherished child of God, husband, devoted father and grandfather, teacher and skilled woodworker passed away at his home in West Lafayette, IN on April 27, 2025 at the age of 89.

Dick was born March 31, 1936 to Van and Louise Hinckley of Medaryville IN.  Dick graduated from Goshen High School in 1954 and Purdue University in 1959.  He obtained his master’s degree from Purdue in 1961.  Dick also completed graduate studies at Notre Dame and Princeton Universities that sparked a lifelong interest in geology.

Along with his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his two brothers - David and Paul Hinckley and his grandson Samuel Hinckley.

Dick spent his life inspiring others through both the art of teaching and the craftsmanship of woodworking. He taught middle-school science for 35 years at Whiteman and Towncrest Middle Schools in Goshen.  His classrooms were known for rigorous instruction and hands-on experiments designed to spark scientific curiosity in students.

Outside the classroom, Dick found great joy in woodworking—a hobby that grew into a true passion. Whether he was remodeling the family home, working on a construction crew, crafting furniture, studying and perfecting new techniques or building toys for charity, his worksite was a place of patience, precision, and love. Dick worked on summer construction crews with Pete Weddell during his teaching career.  Following his retirement from teaching in 1995, he continued working on Clearview Enterprises construction crews until 2010.

Dick was a devoted child of God and continued growing in his relationship to Christ throughout his life.  He prayed fervently for his family members, friends and other matters of concern right up to the end of his life. He was a member of Goshen First Church (formerly First United Methodist Church of Goshen) for 60+ years and served as a church trustee for many years.  He also made several mission trips to lend his construction expertise in areas that had suffered natural disasters.   In his later years, Dick volunteered his time at ADEC (Association for the Disabled of Elkhart County) and even planned Greencroft/ADEC fun days which were enjoyed by all.  He also spearheaded the Toymakers of America at Greencroft Middlebury, a group which made wooden toys for distribution to children in crisis situations.

Dick was a devoted family man. He shared a lifelong partnership with his beloved wife, Jackie Jean (McKinley) Hinckley, and together they built a life rich in love, values, and shared traditions. He was a constant source of support, wisdom, and warmth to his children and grandchildren, who adored spending time with Grandpa playing games, working on projects in the woodshop, hitting baseballs, skating/sledding/skiing or enjoying good food and music together. Everyone who knew him was impacted by Dick’s extraordinary kindness, toughness, and work ethic.

Dick is survived by his wife, Jackie; his children Julie Goldsberry (Carl); Jen Mishler (Scott) and Bill Hinckley (Sara); his grandchildren Sandra Linhart (Zach), Paul Mishler (Emily), Matt Goldsberry (Hannah), Luke Mishler (Angela), Charlie Hinckley and Hank Hinckley; and a wide circle of extended family, friends, former students, and fellow woodworkers.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Goshen First Church, 214 S 5th Street, Goshen IN 46528.  Visitation will be at the church at 1PM followed by the service at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dick’s honor to Goshen First Church (GoshenFirstGMC.org or the address above).