Longtime NA City Councilman Richard “Dick” Bliss dies

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September 3, 2012

Longtime NA City Councilman Richard “Dick” Bliss dies

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Mon Sep 03, 2012, 06:28 PM EDT

NEW ALBANY — Richard E. “Dick” Bliss, who formerly represented the 5th District on the New Albany City Council for 24 years, died Sunday at his home. He was 74.

Bliss was also a longtime member of the New Albany Sewer Board, Tree Board and was currently serving on the New Albany Plan Comission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

“Dick was a wonderful man,” said New Albany attorney Rick Fox. “He did so many great things for New Albany.”

Larry Kochert, who served with Bliss on the New Albany City Council for 16 years, said he liked and respected him.

“I was a Democrat and he was a Republican, but it seemed like in those days we could all work together,” Kochert said. “He was a straight shooter, and a fun guy to be around.”

Besides being involved in politics and serving on numerous boards, Bliss was also a developer and contractor. He bought the historic Calumet Club in 2000 along Spring Street in New Albany, completely remodeled it and turned it into a reception hall and events venue. He was also a partner in Bliss Travel.

“When you talk about the investment he put into real estate in New Albany ... that was just his passion,” Fox said.

He was retired from International Harvester.

Don Gibbons also served six terms alongside Bliss on the New Albany City Council. The two were currently serving on the New Albany Plan Commission and Gibbons said he and Bliss have served together in some capacity for 32 years.

“He was dedicated to this city,” Gibbons said. “He was a good guy ... very dependable and trustworthy.”

Bliss is survived by his wife Mary Pat; two sons, Mark and R. Matthew; two brothers and four grandchildren.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Depauw Memorial United Methodist Church in New Albany. His visitation is from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Market Street Chapel of Seabrook Dieckmann & Naville Funeral Homes in New Albany.