Richard L. (Dick) Merkel, 85, died on October 16, 2020. Dick attained B.B.A. (Business) and J.D. (Law) degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He moved to Arizona in 1961. Dick's professional career as attorney/educator/banker spanned 35 years. He practiced law in Tempe for many years and spent several years on the College of Business faculty at ASU. He was also involved in numerous adult professional programs through the Center for Executive Development at ASU; and CLU, CPCU, and Realtors GRI programs to name a few. The last ten years of his full time career was spent as Vice President and Trust Officer for First Interstate Bank of Arizona (now Wells Fargo). Following his retirement from the bank in 1996, he began a new part time career serving as a professional arbitrator for the securities industry. Dick was a member of many professional and community organizations over the years, including the State bars of Arizona and Wisconsin, Central Arizona and East Valley Estate Planning Councils, Tempe Diablos, Tempe Leadership Conferences, Delta Upsilon and Delta Sigma Pi.



Dick is survived by his wife, Janice, five children, his former wife, Rita Merkel (the mother of 4 of his children), ten grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and a brother. At his request, no services are planned. (Source: Arizona Republic)