Richard John Kremer, 86, died August 5, 2021, peacefully in his home in Bloomingdale, Indiana.

Richard was born in Chicago on September 7, 1934, to Clara and Paul Kremer — both of whom preceded him in death. During his junior high years, he moved to his aunt and uncle's dairy farm in Wisconsin. There, he discovered his love of nature and the outdoors and developed a strong, never-give-up work ethic and attitude. From milking cows in the early mornings on the farm to late-night shifts as a busboy at the Turkey Run Inn in Marshall, Indiana, Richard showcased what made him the great man he was: a family man, friend and dedicated worker.

He moved to Bloomingdale, Indiana, from the dairy farm to be closer to family. Richard graduated from Bloomingdale High School in 1952 where he was an accomplished basketball player and ran track. His love of basketball persisted throughout his life, as he was an extremely loyal Indiana Pacers fan and a season ticket holder for 25 years.

After graduating from high school, Richard attended Indiana State University and later transferred to Rose Polytechnic — known now as Rose-Hulman — to study Chemical Engineering. During his school years he worked full-time at a local plastics company while still maintaining his studies and raising a young family. At Rose, where he graduated in 1958, is where his interest in the plastic industry was sparked.

In 1952, he married Shirley Clark and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage. They raised two sons; Rick Kremer (deceased) and Kris Kremer (Vicki). As a family, they enjoyed hunting, fishing and horses.

After his time at Rose Polytechnic, Richard went to work for General Electric in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. There, he was the division leader of the polycarbonate team and grew under the great leadership of the highly regarded Jack Welch. After this experience, he moved to Tuscola, Illinois, to work for a resin company, USI.

In 1969, upon moving the family back to Bloomingdale, he founded FutureX Industries, a plastic sheet extrusion manufacturing company. Richard purchased an empty building that was formerly a chicken coop and installed his first plastic extrusion line. While building the company from the ground up, he was involved in all aspects of the company. He led product sales and the manufacturing and delivery of the finished goods. Because of his leadership and exceptional work ethic, FutureX expanded from "The Coop" to three additional facilities in Parke County. In 1998, FutureX expanded and opened a Terre Haute location. Under the legacy of Richard Kremer, FutureX continues to grow and be an industry leader.

Richard was an entrepreneur and pioneer who designed and secured multiple patents in the plastic industry. His strong work ethic and leadership built a family environment and culture within the company which continues to this day. He loved and cared deeply about every one of his employees and provided invaluable amounts of wisdom and advice to all he came across.

Richard was a truly authentic, loyal individual who was a man of faith. His quick wit and his magnetic personality always brought joy and laughter to those around him. He had the uncanny ability to make you feel special as he was always present and invested when he was with you. He loved Indiana sweet corn and spending time at his fishing cabin in Parke County where he often enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Richard liked to debate and discuss the finer points of fishing to which many of his many guests surely can attest.

Richard valued community and, as a longtime resident and business owner in Parke County, was a generous philanthropist to various Parke County institutions and organizations. In 2018, Richard and Shirley donated funds to Rose-Hulman University for the Kremer Innovation Center (KIC), a building designed for student collaboration, design work and laboratories. Rose-Hulman held a very special place in his heart as the institution allowed him to grow and succeed in business and in life. His generosity and kindness knew no bounds and have been felt by many.

Richard is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son, Kris, and his daughter-in-law, Vicki, whom he loved like his own daughter. He also leaves his brother, Robert Kremer (Ellena), and two sisters, Eileen Wallace and Roxanne Kremer, four grandchildren, Shane, Dusty, Clint and Ginger Kremer, and five great-grandchildren, Michael, Kyle, Atlas, Clayton and Riley Kremer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Clara Kremer and son Rick Kremer.

A private burial service will take place. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Parke County Fairgrounds, 1472 N. US 41, Rockville, IN 47872, October 3, 2021, 1:00PM-4:00PM. Memorials can be sent to the Parke County Foundation, 115 N. Market St., PO Box 276, Rockville, In 47872.

Care entrusted to Barnes and Rice Funeral Home of Rockville.