Richard Alexander Salo

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Richard Alexander Salo, age 92, of Evansville, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at home with his family by his side.

Salo was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Ironwood Township, Michigan, to Matt A. Salo, Jr. and Sadie S.(Kivisto) Salo. His mother passed away when Richard was 3 weeks old and he was raised by his Grandma Annaliisa "The Mummu" Salo and his Grandma Amelia Kivisto. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army in Germany after World War II. He then joined the U.S. Army National Guard.

Salo worked for 33 years at Western Electric where he met the love of his life, Janet Rich. He was a member of the Bell Telephone Conservation Club and was a proud union member of Communication Workers of America. He was a National Senior Games Gold Medal winner numerous times, winning his last in 2022.

Salo enjoyed returning to the Ironwood/Hurley area for a good pasty and to go to his old stomping grounds and fishing spots. He enjoyed visiting with his nieces and nephews and visiting childhood friends and neighbors like the Kangases, Bartos, Synkelmas and Kleimolas. He enjoyed fishing in the U.P. and visiting with relatives in Marquette, Michigan.

Salo is survived by his sons, William Salo (Barb), Richard Salo (Virginia), and Thomas Salo (Joy); eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Salo is preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Janet Marie (Rich) Salo; parents, Matt and Sadie (Kivisto) Salo; grandmother and mother figures, Amelia Kivisto and Annaliisa "The Mummu" Salo; sister, Helen Bradley; brothers, Mathias Salo, Wayne Salo and Donald Anderson; and best friend, Bobby Gene "BG" Henning.

Funeral services and burial with military honors were held in Evansville.

Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of RA Salo. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net.