Richard 'Dick' Frank Szymanski

Richard (Dick) Frank Szymanski of Sanford, Florida, passed away at the age of 89 on Thursday, October 28, 2021. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he raised his family in Baltimore, Maryland before settling in Florida. Dick’s immense passion for sports and love of the game of football drove his adult and professional career. At home he was the patriarch and center of his family’s world. He was notorious for his tough guy attitude, but friends and family knew him better for his soft and gentle heart. He was a selfless and devoted husband to Patty, enjoying travel and elegant dining, especially fond of crab cakes and desserts. Father to Debbie and Mike, always attending swim meets, ball games, and enjoying sled rides. He was lovingly known as ‘Pop’ to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They enjoyed countless hours at amusement parks, movie theaters, and malt shops. Dick was All-American in high school football as well as All-City in basketball and baseball. He attended the University of Notre Dame, played on the 1953 national championship team, started his freshman year and earned 4 letters in football as well as his degree in business administration. Selected by the Baltimore Colts out of Notre Dame in the 2nd round of the 1955 NFL Draft, he started at center as a rookie. Dick was drafted into the Army in 1956, when he returned to the Colts in 1957. A savage tackler, he helped the Colts win three NFL championships in 1958, 1959 and 1968. For parts of four decades, Szymanski served the Colts — first, as a Pro Bowl center and linebacker, and then as a scout, coach and general manager — for a tenure unequaled in Baltimore football lore. After he left the Colts he moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida and joined the NFL Alumni where he eventually became executive director. Dick was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Helen Szymanski; brothers, Thomas Szymanski and Robert Szymanski; sister, Mildred Kitting. He is survived by his adoring wife of 57 years, Patricia Szymanski (nee: Kennedy); daughter, Debra Hoskins; son, Michael Szymanski, and his wife, Karen; granddaughters, Taylor Hoskins, Bailee and Gracie Szymanski, Shannon Luongo, and her husband, DJ Luongo; great grandchildren, Mila and Eleni Luongo; nephews, Joseph Kitting, Gregory Szymanski, Jeffrey Szymanski and Gary Szymanski; nieces, Tammy Szymanski, Bob Szymanski, Diane Willenbring and Lori Dresher. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/, under Donate check "Yes, this is an honor or memorial gift", Honoree Name: Richard Szymanski) Memorial will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021 at All Souls Historic Chapel, 800 S. Oak Ave, Sanford, Florida, at 11am. Reception to follow.

Richard 'Dick' Frank Szymanski

October 7, 1932 - October 28, 2021