Richard Lee Feltner of New Ross, Indiana and Bradenton, Florida, passed away Thursday morning at his home in New Ross.  He was 82.

Mr. Feltner was an agricultural economist.  He taught at Michigan State and University of Illinois before becoming the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Nixon and Ford.  He then served as President of the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank in Louisville, KY. He later became Dean of the School of Business at Bellarmine University, retiring from there.  He was a member of the New Ross United Methodist Church, and served on the board of directors of USBank and Delta Dental of Kentucky. He also served in the Indiana National Guard for six years.

Born Oct. 16, 1938 in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Denver D. Feltner and Marcella Nees Feltner.  He graduated from New Ross High School and earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Purdue.  He then earned a PhD from North Carolina State.

Surviving family includes his wife of 38 years, Janet Feltner; son, Rick (Cheryl) Feltner; daughter, Susan (Steve) McElwain; son, Kevin (Tina) Goetz; daughter, Kimberly Goetz; eight grandchildren, Christina, Mike, Cameron, Scotty, Rick, Sean, Danny, Skylar; great grandson, Liam Goetz; two sisters, Marcia Frazier and Nancy Hartley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ruth Ann Croteau.

The family of Richard Feltner will have a gathering to remember his life later this year.  Details will be announced as they become available.  Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation to the New Ross United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 95, New Ross, IN 47968.  Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com.