Richard Harpenau

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Harpenau, a cherished soul who left us peacefully in his sleep on May 11, 2026, at the age of 68. Born on February 24, 1958, in Evansville, Indiana, Richard's life was a testament to love, dedication, and unyielding kindness. Richard was the beloved son of Robert and Janice Harpenau. He grew up in a household filled with warmth and encouragement, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Richard's father, Robert, and brother-in-law, Daniel "Frank" Simon, predeceased him, and are undoubtedly welcoming him into the eternal embrace of heaven. A proud graduate of Tell City High School's class of 1976, Richard's pursuit of knowledge led him to the University of Evansville, where he joined the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon. His time in college was marked by friendships and experiences that shaped his character and career. Following in his father's entrepreneurial footsteps, Richard immersed himself in the family business, Harpenau's Insurance, where his unwavering dedication and vision enabled him to take the helm. His work was more than a career; it was a calling, and he thrived in the role of a leader and mentor, ensuring the business flourished under his stewardship. In May of 2000, Richard married the love of his life, Pamela Tsimekles. Together, they settled in the quaint town of Santa Claus, Indiana, where they created a loving home for their blended family. Over their 26 years of marriage, Richard and Pam shared countless memories, many of which revolved around their mutual passion for live sports events, especially cheering for local high school teams. Richard's nurturing spirit extended beyond his family to the countless young lives he touched as a coach of various recreational sports teams. His love for the game and commitment to nurturing talent was evident in every practice and match. A devout member of St. Pius Catholic Church, Richard lived his faith through service and compassion. His loud, welcoming hellos and warm smiles were a fixture in his community, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand or run an errand for those in need. Richard is survived by his devoted mother, Janice Harpenau; his loving wife, Pamela Harpenau; and his cherished sisters, Paula Simon Styles (Barry) and Lisa Cole (Randy). His legacy of love and laughter continues through his children: Ben Harpenau (Stephanie), James Tsimekles (Jennesy), Nichole Roesch (Zach), Emily Wright (Jon), and Allison Green (Kyle). He was the proud grandfather to Ella and Brody Harpenau, Nicolas and Evelyn Tsimekles, Michael, Jack, Cecilia, and Sullivan Roesch, Finn and Remy Grace Wright, and Zoey Green. Richard's life was a resounding symphony of love, laughter, and unwavering dedication. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Pius Catholic Church, where friends and family will gather to honor the remarkable journey of a man who was, above all, a dutiful son, loving husband, caring father, coach, mentor, and an amazing man. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a local youth sports organization in Richard's memory, ensuring his passion for nurturing young talent continues to inspire future generations. Richard will be deeply missed, yet his spirit will forever remain a guiding light to those he loved and to those who were fortunate enough to love him in return.