Richard B. Alexander, 78, of Oak Harbor, died at Oak Harbor Retirement Community on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002.

Mr. Alexander was born in Alliance, Ohio, on Oct. 10, 1923, to Claude B. Alexander and Emma Maude (Anderson) Alexander. He was raised in Alliance, and graduated from Alliance High School. Following high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served his country in France during World War II.

On Oct. 19, 1946, Richard married Betty Cironi at the First Presbyterian Church in Alliance. He worked as a machinist apprentice for Morgan Engineering, and eventually became supervisor of the erection of overhead cranes in steel mills in Turkey, Yugoslavia, and throughout the United States. He then was employed by Great Lakes Steel in River Rouge, Mich., where he served in many capacities, retiring in 1988. He moved to Oak Harbor in November of 2000 to be near his daughters.

Richard’s hobbies included flying small planes, building model airplanes and fishing. He was a member of the Conrad Masonic Lodge in Alliance, Ohio and regularly attended Presbyterian churches, where he served faithfully as an usher.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Northville, Mich.; three daughters, Claudia Alexander of Coupeville, Jodi Alexander of Woodinville and Sheri Guyot and husband David of Northville, Mich.; eight grandchildren, Brian, Todd and Heather Hughes, Stacie and Casey Pelkey and Matt, Chad and Evan Guyot; three great-grandchildren, Morgan and Cameron Pelkey and Tyler Guyot; and one brother, Don Alexander of Winchester, Pa.

Services will be held at a later date in Michigan. Memorials may be made to the Faith Community Presbyterian Church, 44400 West Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.