Richard "Rick" Alan Stevenson, Sr.

  Richard A. Stevenson, Sr.

                                         Trustee, Community Leader, Family Man

Richard Alan Stevenson, Sr. was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 18, 1945 to St. Luke and Ethel Stevenson. He died on December 6, 2022. Rick accepted Christ at an early age at Pilgrim Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend John Dixie and he later served under the leadership of Reverend Sam Shade, Jr. and Reverend Raymond Dix, Jr.

Rick was a life-long member of Pilgrim Baptist Church for over 60 years where he served in numerous capacities.  He was a Trustee of the Church, ensuring good stewardship over the church’s resources.  Christian Education was Rick’s passion and he faithfully served as a teacher and one of the Superintendents of Sunday School for more than 40 years. He was a gifted, dynamic teacher who made the Bible come alive for his students. 

Rick was also a member of Pilgrim’s Male Chorus, Gospel Chorus, and the Senior Choir. Among the many songs he sung at church, Rick was known for his rendition of the song “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired”.  

Rick graduated from Central High School in 1964 where he was the starting point guard for their varsity basketball team that won the Sectional Championship.  He would often proudly proclaim that he was only 5 foot 6 inches when they won the Championship.  He did grow a couple inches after high school though.  Rick also excelled academically in high school taking rigorous honors classes.        

Upon graduation from high school, Rick earned a basketball scholarship and he attended college in Arizona, and he later attended Wilberforce University.

Rick later met a young lady named Carol Harvey who would eventually become his wife.  Rick and Carol married in 1967.  Rick and Carol have two sons, Howard L. Stevenson II (Christa) and Richard A. Stevenson Jr.

In his early employment career, Rick worked as an Employment Specialist at the East Wayne Opportunity Center where he helped individuals find gainful employment. He then became the Director of Relocation for the City of Fort Wayne.

He later worked with the Northeast Area 3 Council on Aging where they provided energy assistance to the elderly and low-income individuals.  Rick also worked as a night investigator for the Fort Wayne Water Pollution Control Maintenance Department.     

In November 2006, Rick was elected as the Wayne Township Trustee taking office in January 2007.  He was elected to a historic 4 terms.  He won re-election in 2010, 2014 and 2018. During his tenure as Trustee, Rick was a tireless champion for the residents of Wayne Township. He was passionate about helping those in need and he considered it a privilege given by God for him to be in a position to help others.  Rick served as Trustee until he retired in December 2019. In 2015, Rick also ran for Mayor of Fort Wayne.  

Rick was a consummate multi-tasker.  In addition to serving as Wayne Township Trustee, Rick also made it a priority to donate his time to civic and non-profit boards. He served on numerous boards including but not limited to the Board of Associated Churches and the Executive Board of the Fort Wayne NAACP. During the Presidential election in 2008, Rick organized the Grassroots Committee, a non-partisan group which registered hundreds of voters in Fort Wayne.  Rick was also a member of the Masonic lodge, St. Mary’s Lodge Number 14 PHA.

Rick received countless awards over the years, including but not limited to the Lion Award from the Fort Wayne Urban League and the Elizabeth Dobynes Award from the Fort Wayne NAACP. Though Rick was humbled by all the accolades he received, the thing he treasured most was his family.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, St. Luke and Ethel Stevenson; aunt Fannie Mae Brooks, uncle Annanias Brooks, Sr.; brothers Howard Stevenson and Otis Brooks, and sister Sandra Brooks; stepmother Minnie Reese-Stevenson; stepbrothers Charlie Reese (Janet), Terry Reese, Larry Reese, and Raymond Reese; and stepsister Betty Reese.

Rick is survived by his wife Carol Stevenson; sons, Howard Stevenson (Christa) and Richard Stevenson Jr.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers Robert Stevenson, Kenneth Stevenson, Will Stevenson (Shirley), Duane Stevenson, Sr. (Vickey), Michael Stevenson, and Roger Brooks (Evelyn); sister Karla Jo Brooks; aunt Eunice Brooks; step-brother Albert Reese (Patricia); step-sisters Malinda Reese, and Queen Esther Dubose (Alfred); and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard A. Stevenson Scholarship. Checks can be made payable to the “Wayne Township Trustee Office RASS Fund” and mailed to the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office located at 320 E. Superior Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
 

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