Richard K. Harpster, whose working life moved from northwest Ohio classrooms and district offices into real estate, is remembered in an obituary carried by The Village Reporter.
His formal training began at Defiance College, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1963. He went on to the University of Toledo for a master's in educational administration in 1964 and an education specialist degree in 1972.
Harpster's school work started at Grover Hill Local Schools, where he was treasurer and taught elementary and junior high students. He then spent 13 years leading North Central Local Schools in Pioneer and 12 more as superintendent of Williams County Schools in Bryan, leaving public education in 1990. Along the way he belonged to Phi Delta Kappa, chaired the Special Education Regional Resource Center in Bowling Green, taught part time at Bowling Green State University and served on the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center board, among other panels. Defiance College gave him its Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.
A second career followed in real estate. Licensed in Ohio and Michigan, he worked more than three decades as a salesperson and broker, headed the Northwest Ohio Board of Realtors for a term and taught real estate courses at Northwest State Community College.
He joined the Pioneer Area Chamber of Commerce in 1965 and held its secretary, treasurer and president posts. A Mason since 1968, he was an elder at Bryan Alliance Church.
Survivors include his daughter, Kathleen (Carl) Andre of Bryan, two granddaughters and two sisters. His wife, Janet, died in 2008; his son, Michael, and brother, Robert, died earlier as well.
Visitation is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Bryan Alliance Church, 220 W. Fountain Grove Drive, Bryan, with a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m. The memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the church, with Pastor Nick Woodall officiating, and interment at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer will be private. Memorial gifts may be directed to Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center or Bryan Alliance Church.