Richard Sonnenfeld

ARNOLD MOORE & NEEKAMP FUNERAL HOME, BARTLESVILLE, OK - Dr. Richard John (Dick) Sonnenfeld , 97, longtime Bartlesville resident, died May 12, 2016 in Centennial, Colorado. Born April 29, 1919 in Britton, OK. to Ernst and Mame Sonnenfeld, Dick or "Papa Dick" as he later became known, grew up in Oklahoma City where he was an excellent student and gymnast, even doing a headstand on his 80th birthday. He took his gymnastic skills to the University of Pittsburgh where he was head cheerleader and graduated with a degree in chemistry. He then moved to St. Louis where he met his future wife Birddean Martin Sonnenfeld to whom he was married 32 years and preceded him in death in 1973. He then married Anita Merrell Sonnenfeld in 1975 until her death in 2003. In 2005 he married Ruby Purdum Sonnenfeld until her death in 2013. He spent his last three years living in his beloved Colorado. Surviving Dick are his four children, Linda (Jim) Coates, Tulsa; Bruce (Toni) Sonnenfeld, Parker, Colorado; Carol (Robert) Culbertson, Centennial, Colorado; Barry Sonnenfeld, Tulsa; and four step children, Dr. Gary Merrell, John Merrell, John Purdum, and Susan Purdum Wahid. He had seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren. During WWII he served in the Army's bomb disposal unit at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He then went to work for Phillips Petroleum Co in the rubber research division in Bartlesville. He worked on the synthetic rubber project in Borger, Texas. After earning his masters and PhD from the University of Oklahoma he returned to work for Phillips until his retirement in 1982. As a research chemist he had 32 U.S. patents and numerous citations for his work in polymer and synthetic research. Much of his research and processes are still being utilized today. After his retirement he and Anita traveled extensively, spending half of each year at their summer home in Lake George, CO where they hosted many of their family and friends. After Anita's death he continued going out to Lake George with Ruby. Dick was a long time volunteer in the gift shop at Jane Phillips Hospital and was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America and Explorer programs. He was an active member of the Cherokee Area Council Executive Board and was awarded the Silver Beaver, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, earned scouting's Wood Badge and was a Wood Badge staff member. He was known for his pancake ministry at Good Shepherd and also cooked for the Agape ministry in Bartlesville until his early 90s. He had a zest for life and was known for his whistling. He became a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church as it was forming in 1957 and served many times as an elder and trustee. While living in Colorado he attended the Community Fellowship of Christians in Lake George. Dr. Sonnenfeld's services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dale Scott officiating. Condolences and messages for the family may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 801 SE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK, 74008 or the Community Fellowship of Christians, P.O. Box 542, Lake George, CO 80827. Arrangements are under the direction of the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave., Bartlesville.

Visitation Details

Thursday, May 19th, 2016 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Friday, May 20th, 2016 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Saturday, May 21st, 2016 11:00am, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville