Richard E. “Dick” Mitchell, 79, of Altoona passed away at his home on Sunday. He was born in Altoona, the son of Lester and Kathryn (Estep) Mitchell. In 1965, he married Terry Cowher in Altoona.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Terry, he is survived by his two sons, Grant and Brian, both of Altoona. Dick retired after 31 years of service from Norfolk Southern Corp. as a machinist and foreman. He also owned and operated Dick’s Train Store in Juniata for many years and worked as a DJ Spinner for 15 years.

Dick was a devoted member of the Alto Model Train Association Inc., where he spent countless hours with his friends and fellow members of local model train clubs. He served two years in the U.S. Navy as a Radar man before returning home to continue working on his lifelong passion for trains and model building.

Friends are invited to a visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov