Allen Richard Kouth

Allen Richard Kouth, age 89, of Knoxville, TN, passed away at Sacred Ground Hospice House on August 19, 2025.

“Dick”, as he was known, was born on November 4, 1935, in Massillon, OH, son of the late Louis Kouth and Mary (Harmon) Kouth. The oldest of three children, Dick’s talent for understanding mechanical drawings and ability to apply those ideas into a product most likely came from his father who was a welder and fabricator by trade. As an Automotive Engineer and supervisor, he led highly successful teams in pioneering the development of products that are still built and recognized today. Among those items are the “pass through” sleeper cabs used on a lot of the semi tractors, Ford’s original 4 door pickup cab, the “garage door” type opening on box delivery vans, and the ability to have interchangeable (front to rear) doors on truck cabs used by early railroad and fire trucks.

Dick enjoyed traveling, square and round dancing, card and board games, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns, and had a passion for aircraft (although not a pilot). He was an “Honorary Pilot” in a P-51 Mustang, road in a Ford Tri-Motor, floated along in a fixed wing glider, and even sat in the pilot’s seat of Howard Hughes’s “Spruce Goose” (Hughes H-4 Hercules wooden flying boat). You might also have seen his “Honey-Do Handy Man” sign on the side of his truck in Crossville helping seniors out with electrical, plumping, automotive or home repairs. After the passing of his beloved wife Gloria in 2009, Dick moved to Knoxville in 2013 to be closer to the Knoxville Square Dance Center where he and his new dance partner could be found several nights a week.

He is survived by his children, Bryan Kouth (Birgit), Norene Kouth (Mike Marsh), Randall Goettge (Camille), Kimberly Yoder (Roger); 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; brother, Jack Kouth.

In addition to his parents, Allen is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria L. Kouth; grandson, Adam Yoder; and sister, Mary Backus.

No Services are scheduled at this time.

Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.