REVELT, RICHARD D.

REVELT, RICHARD D. (27 Apr. 1932-7 Nov. 1992), though a photographer by trade, was better known as "The Deaf Advocate" because of his lifelong commitment to the hearing impaired.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Revelt contracted spinal meningitis when he was three, and the disease left him deaf. He attended Alexander Graham Bell School in Cleveland, and then St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, NY.

He met his future wife, Gladys Hemstreet, at a club for the deaf. They were married 15 May 1954. They had three daughters, Gloria, Roseanne, and Joan, and one son, Bill.

Long a photography enthusiast, in 1966 Revelt made it his profession. Specializing in portraits, he opened a studio at 11848 Lorain Road. A member of Professional Photographers of America, in 1976 he won first prize in the International Wedding Photography Awards Program.

Revelt was indefatigible on behalf of the deaf. In 1973 he co-chaired Ohio's first deaf exposition. Held at the Higbee Auditorium, the three-day exhibit drew some 30,000 attendees.

A member of ST. AUGUSTINE Catholic Church on West 14th Street, Revelt was both secretary and president of the Catholic Deaf Center headquartered there. A member of the International Catholic Deaf Association, his efforts brought that group to Cleveland for its conventions in 1959, 1982, and 1991. He belonged to both the Cleveland and Ohio associations of the deaf, and was a trustee of FAIRMOUNT THEATRE FOR THE DEAF and president of the Flying Fingers Club. Revelt led the campaign for local television stations to close-caption their newscasts.

Following funeral services at St. Augustine Church, Revelt was buried in RIVERSIDE CEMETERY.


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