Richard A. Costin

Richard Costin was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lived his entire life in Indianapolis. He married his high school sweetheart, Kaye Stow and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Their first child Carvel, “Carve” was born in 1954 then Candice, “Candi” in 1956. Carve was married to Anita Hartman in 1976 and have a son, Mackendre Dean, “Dean” born in 1979. Candi is married to Mike Bratt and residing in Rockford, IL area.

Richard was born in 1933 during the great depression to Carvel and Margaret Costin who married in 1931. He was also preceeded in death by his sister Nancy Ann McDowell. His parents were socially diverse. His father was from rural hardship and a mother who was exposed to modern urban society. Richard’s fraternal grandfather lived in a sparsely populated area of southern Indiana. His grandfather was a hunter and fisherman, not as a sportsman, but a survivalist. He witnessed firsthand the instinctual reward of the ‘kill and eat a meal’ era, which left an indelible impression on Richard throughout his life.

Richard’s primary passion was enjoying the outdoors which included hunting, boating, waterskiing, and traveling in the northwest mountain states. The family even enjoyed a cabin on Lake Freeman in Monticello, IN for many years.

Richard was a byproduct of two worlds to which he adapted seamlessly. After the depression and war years, the 1960’s decade was Richard’s new world in which he had a family and thus decided to explore uncertain territory and started selling Life and Casualty insurance on the side.

In 1961 he and his wife Kaye launched a small insurance agency. His personal skills working with customers, employee’s and frequent acquisitions resulted in a healthy, viable enterprise that thrived for over 40 years. During that period, Richard and Kaye’s diverse business interests lead to launch a retail operation and most notably a medical transcription service enterprise of nearly 30 employees.

Richard was one who always put home and providing for his family first. Upon completion of a day’s work, his only thought was to head for home.

Richard’s childhood passion for the outdoors and hunting never diminished throughout his life. In early 1970’s, as means permitted, he would travel to Montana for his favorite sport of hunting. He wanted to introduce his 9-year old grandson, Dean, to the sport of hunting so he brought him along on one of his short trips to Tennessee. This was an important bonding experience for the two of them.

In the fall, he and Kaye would often vacation in states from New Mexico to Alaska, (possibly accumulating more cowboy boots than Randolf Scott and John Wayne combined) – never tiki bars on sandy beaches unless an insurance company sent them for free.

One of Richards most notable character qualities was the fact that he was always in sync when it came to people and new acquaintances. He always treated everyone as honest and trustworthy, unless they proved themselves differently. He was always kind and thoughtful to others, and was notably a good listener. Ironically, the last thing he did was taking a CocaCola (his favorite drink) to the sanitation truck driver when he slipped on the ice, fell, and shattered his hip. Sadly, he did not survive more than a few hours following the surgery.

He was a very devoted Christian, regularly attending the Grace Presbyterian Church on Allisonville Road. He developed a very special friendship with Pastor John Peoples and the former Pastor David McKay. He passed on January 24, 2019 surrounded by his family.

The following is a chronology of Richard’s life:

• Went to Howe High School (graduated 1951)
• Attended Butler University for a year
• Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army
• Member of Free Mason Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and the Shrine
• Worked for his dad’s Standard service station in Irvington.
• Worked for Allison Division in Speedway
• Attended business college in the evenings.
• Bought several insurance agencies and then formed Costin Insurance Agency, Inc. for 35+ years
• Owned Telecom Ltd., Inc. for 25+ years
• Retired at 62
• Richard and Kaye enjoyed touring the entire state of Alaska, enjoying fishing & sightseeing with his childhood best friend and wife

We love and miss you Dad!

A Memorial Service celebrating Richard’s life will be held Saturday, February 2 at 2 PM in Flanner Buchanan – Geist, 7855 Cork Road, Indianapolis with a Gathering starting at 1 PM until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to:

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, West 46th St and 12th Ave, One Intrepid Square, New York, NY 10036 or online at www.fallenheroesfund.org.

Grace Presbyterian Church, 7900 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250