Richard Wolfgang Pehnec

"A Life well lived is a precious gift of hope, strength and grace."

Richard Wolfgang Pehnec of Elkhart, Indiana passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Story Point Senior Living & Memory Care in Granger. He was 76 years old.

Richard was born Richard Wolfgang Schappes in Vienna, Austria in 1949. He immigrated to Elkhart in 1956 via U.S. Navy transport ship with his mother Lucretia, brother Rudy and stepfather Theodore Pehnec, who adopted him. Richard resided in Elkhart for the remainder of his life. He attended Elkhart Public Schools and at age 18 in 1967, Richard entered bootcamp in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, he was shipped to Da Nang, Vietnam where he was stationed 40 miles from the DMZ. Richard served for 2 years.

Upon discharge from the Army, Richard returned to Elkhart and started a successful waterbed business in 1973 which later became Atlantis Furniture & Mattress. Richard poured his heart and soul into managing the business until he closed its doors and sold the building in 2021 upon retiring.

Richard Pehnec is survived by his daughter Heather, her husband Gene and grandsons Adrian and Nicholas, his siblings Carmen and her husband Corbin, Lucy, Rudy and Walter, a niece Autumn and grandniece Evergreen, as well as nephews John Jr. and Pascual. The family would like to express their gratitude to Susan Von Ins, Mike Crofoot and Dr. Michael Dibley for their care and concern during Richard’s last year and to Paradigm Hospice for their outstanding staff and service. 

Richard worked very hard throughout his life and was proud of his achievements. He enjoyed technology and its endless possibilities, long drives, good food - especially a buffet, cinematic and quirky films, music, dancing and living life as best he could. His sense of humor will be missed, and his loss is mourned by both his family and the community. There will be no funeral service. Donations in Richard’s honor may be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. 

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with his care.

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