Richard Carl Welch

Richard Carl Welch passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, in the skilled nursing unit of The Spires in Rome, GA. He was 87.

Born on July 17, 1938, in Franklin, PA, to Carl Francis Welch and Ruth Mary Boyer, Dick married Judith Alayne Becker on June 25, 1960. He grew up in Mercer, PA, graduated from Penn State University, and enjoyed a distinguished business development career in the construction and engineering industries.

Dick was never shy about sharing his ideas for improving America’s major professional sports leagues. Family dinners often included discussions that began with his familiar declaration: “When I become commissioner of the ___ league...” What followed was usually a thoughtful - and, in his view, entirely practical - plan for setting things right. Although no league ever came calling, his confidence never wavered. His closest connection to a commissioner’s office came in the early 1970s, when he lived in Ridgewood, New Jersey, home to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. As far as anyone knows, Bowie never sought Dick’s advice - but perhaps he should have.

Starting with the family’s move from New Jersey to California in 1973, Dick’s work provided opportunities for extensive travel, including moves to England and South Africa. Travel continued into retirement, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren always remained his top priority - just as his own children had been. He was a deeply loving and devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife Judy; two sons, Craig Welch and his wife Young of Chicago, IL, and Doug Welch and his wife Sidney of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Peggy Hovis of Mercer, Pennsylvania; a brother, Charlie Welch and his wife Judi of West Middlesex, PA; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.