Richard Francis Bollinger

Richard Francis Bollinger, 89, of Charleston, SC, widower of Adeline Celsus Bollinger, entered into eternal rest on October 12, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 PM, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1695 Wallenberg Boulevard, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow in the St. Joseph Columbarium. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Monday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway.

Richard was born September 4, 1935, in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of Frank Bollinger and Bertha (Cline) Bollinger. As a boy, he was at his happiest when he was hunting and fishing. As a result, he became certified in Taxidermy in 1951 and graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School in 1953. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Ohio State University in 1957, he began working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an Entomologist in New York. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Celsus, who he married on January 13, 1962. After three years in New York, they moved to Charleston, SC and settled in the West Ashley area where they raised their family and have resided for the last 59 years.

Richard had a very quiet, unassuming personality but through his actions, was a role model to all that knew him. At family gatherings, he was known to just smile and nod, treasuring the time together. He shared his love of nature, birdwatching, gardening and reading with all his family members. His creativity and artistic talents flourished upon retirement, when he began his true passion, bird carving. His greatest pleasure was presenting his amazing hand-carved wooden creations as gifts to family and friends, along with donating several carvings for church fundraisers. His Catholic faith was extremely important to him and he and Celsus were founding members of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Ashley.

He is survived by his children: Bob Bollinger (Christine), Anne Marie Lutes (John), Barbara Van Notric (Kevin), John Bollinger (Mickie); his eight grandchildren: Erin Bollinger Bickes (Mike), Niall Lutes (Alexis), Chase Bollinger (Therese), Conor Lutes (Jenna), Kevin Van Notric, Jr. (Kristen), Gracie Bollinger, Collin Bollinger, Bennett Bollinger; his great-granddaughters: Adeline Lutes and Aila Lutes; his sisters: Carol Hupp, Marie Fields, Mary Anne Linder (Larry); his sisters-in law: Kathleen McDonagh, Imelda Cronin, Kitty Bergin as well as many nieces and nephews in Ohio and Ireland.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Celsus; his brother-in-law, Roger Fields and his niece, Kim Fields.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in the name of "Richard Bollinger" can be made to Respite Care Charleston ( www.RespiteCareCharleston.org ), 1605 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.