Richard Allen Novak Sr.

FUNERAL HOME

McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation - Mt. Pleasant Location

1520 Rifle Range Rd

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Richard Novak Obituary

Name: Visitation for Richard Allen Novak Sr.
Start: 2018-02-09T17:30:00.000Z
End: 2018-02-09T19:00:00.000Z
Location: McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation - Mt. Pleasant Location

Richard Allen Novak, Sr. Mt. Pleasant - On the evening of February 6th, surrounded by his family, the most precious man slipped away from his long, full life to join Jesus and his wife of 50 years, Lynne Garno Novak. Richard Allen Novak, known to most as Dick, was a Korean War Veteran. He left his home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, just after graduating from Fort Atkinson High School to join the US Navy, a move that would take him to Charleston SC, to be stationed at the Minecraft Base, where he would meet Lynne and fall in love. While stationed there he became well known for his pitching fastball soft-pitch, throwing a number of no hitters. One umpire even said that he was always amazed at his ability to throw it around the plate. Dick was blessed with an amazing amount of energy most of his life. He retired from Navelex in 1988 but he continued to stay busy after retirement working at the North Charleston Coliseum and with his mail box business and wood working business, "Dick's Woodworks", building a substantial number of mailboxes for new home builders in Park West. He was always more than willing to help anyone who needed him, sometimes without asking for payment. He was known for many things but the things that most people will likely remember will be his love for dogs, fun and people, his amazing Christmas light display each year on Seminole Street that drew lines of cars, and his love for his six children, 11 grandchildren, and his 14 great-grandchildren. He was an accomplished bowler averaging over 180 at one point and he and Lynne ran the March of Dimes Bowling Tournament for a number of years at the Charleston Rifle Club. He loved to sing Dean Martin songs, was even coaxed to sign "Kawliga" during Karaoke, and during his final years in his battle with Alzheimer's, serenaded and charmed more than anyone can count, singing "You Are My Sunshine". Dick was a blessing to everyone he met even while fighting the terrible disease that is Alzheimer's. Dick was also a Life Member of the Charleston Elks' Lodge. Dick and Lynne lived on Sullivan's Island for a couple of years but bought their first home on Seminole Street in Old Mount Pleasant, a home that he owned for more than 50 years until 2015. He was born on December 11, 1932, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, a home that he never forgot, to Alvin E. Novak and Martha Ida Novak. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Eugene (Bud) Novak; and his sister, Evelyn Novak Keeley. He is survived by his six loving children, Cheryll Novak Woods-Flowers (Harold), Richard Allen "Butch" Novak Jr. (Debbie), Karen Novak Forrest (Will), Theresa Novak Stanton (Brian), Sharen Novak Peterson (Curtis), and Roberta Novak Browning (Cecil), his 11 grandchildren, Kristin Elise White, Jessica Woods DeWeerth, Kelly Novak, Rick Novak, Kalen Stanton, Whitney Stanton, Gracelyn Stanton, Corey Silvers, Allexis Underwood, 1st Sergeant Charles Edward Dutart, and Winnie Rutier, He was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin brother, Robert (Bob) Novak and his brother, Fritz, and oodles of nieces and nephews...some who call him their favorite uncle. The Novak family would like to express their sincere thanks to all of the amazing people at Somerby of Mount Pleasant over the last three years who also loved Dick...treating him like a member of their family and for the love and many kindnesses that they showered on his family. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Richard Novak to the SC Alzheimer's Association, 2090 Executive Hall Road, Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407. Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation and catered reception on Friday, February 9, 2018, from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT. A funeral service will follow immediately in the chapel. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Expressions of sympathy may be submitted or viewed at www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MOUNT PLEASANT, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD., MT. PLEASANT, SC 29464. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Novak

202 Entries

Steve Brown

February 1, 2023

Played fast pitch softball with Dick. He was a joy to be with and he could really pitch. Truly wish we had stayed in touch.
Little man with a big smile . God speed.
P.S Not sure what team we played on since I played a lot of softball, but I believe it was WCSC