Gordon R. "Dick" Brubaker, 91, died unexpectedly at his home in Shawnee Township, Lima, on Sunday evening, August 12, 2018. He was born February 23, 1927, in Van Wert the son of the late Vernon Franklin and Bernice (Foor) Brubaker. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis A. (Burley) Brubaker; a son, Kevin L. and his wife, Lynn of Columbus; and a number of close nieces and nephews. After high school, Dick served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated from Kent State University in 1959, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and was an architect with the Akron Board of Education for eleven years. He and his wife moved to the Lima area in 1968, when he took a position with the firm of Bowman & Armstrong. When they dissolved, he worked for several local firms, then semi-retired at 75 still doing some designing at home. He was a 50-year member of Shawnee United Methodist Church where he served on numerous boards. He was a founding member of the Shawnee Optimist Club where he served at least once in every office and continued to be active to the present time. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 16, 2018, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert with Pastor Bryan Bucher officiating. Interment will follow at Van Wert Woodland Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the combined honor guard of the American Legion Post #178 and V.F.W. Post #5803 of Van Wert. Calling hours are 3 - 7 p.m., Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to the Shawnee Optimist Club, Shawnee United Methodist Church or the Van Wert County Foundation.