Obituary for Richard Stichter
Richard J. Stichter, “Chief Sticky”, born October 26, 1932 in Reading, PA, passed away Thursday February 6, 2020 at Country Meadows of Hershey, where he lived since 2014.
He was the son of Julia and Herbert Stichter and a graduate of Reading High School class of 1950. He was pre-deceased in 2015 by Dolores, his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years.
He is survived by children Joyce (Robert) Kopko of Hummelstown, PA; Richard (Cynthia) Stichter of Blythewood, SC; Nancy Stichter of Harrisburg, PA and Anne Davidson of Fawn Grove, PA; six grandchildren, Janel Griffith, Nicole (Christopher) McMillian, Kimberly (Jason) Miller, Kristen (Mark) Nelson, Erin (Josh) Moore, and Sean (Kasey) Davidson; and 5 great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed gardening, was an avid fisherman and hunter, loved cheese (“I am like a rat to cheese”), but above all he loved his family.
A US Air Force veteran of the Korean War and a USAF/PaAng supporter during the Vietnam War, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant after 37+ years. He enlisted on October 26, 1949 at the age of 17 yrs and 1 day, with his parents’ permission, into the 148th Fighter Squadron, proceeding through the 140th Aeromedical Squadron, 193rd Supply Squadron, 193rd Civil Engineering, and the 201 CE (Red Horse) Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap. He was also employed 10 years at the US Navy Fleet Material Support Office, Mechanicsburg, PA.
He was a member of Seven Sorrows Blessed Virgin Mary, a 3rd degree member of Council 3501 Middletown, and 4th degree member of Bishop Shanahan Council Knights of Columbus. He was a 45 year active member of American Legion Post 594, life member of VFW Post 6704, member of Wounded Warrior Project, Air Force Sergeants Association, life member of 148th Fighter Squadron Association, member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association, and past member of the Junior Volunteer Fire Company in Reading, PA.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Country Meadows of Hershey and the staff of Grane Hospice, especially his nurse Michelle and his personal care assistant Alex.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 280 N. Race St. Middletown, PA with the Rev. Fr. Ted Keating as celebrant. There will be a viewing from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Matinchek Funeral Home, 260 E. Main St. Middletown, PA and a viewing from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.
Interment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, Reading, PA at 12:30 PM Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Donations in his memory may be made to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc, 117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to Seven Sorrows BVM Church, 280 Race Street, Middletown, PA 17057.
The family has entrusted the care of the Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Middletown to handle the funeral arrangements.
He was the son of Julia and Herbert Stichter and a graduate of Reading High School class of 1950. He was pre-deceased in 2015 by Dolores, his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years.
He is survived by children Joyce (Robert) Kopko of Hummelstown, PA; Richard (Cynthia) Stichter of Blythewood, SC; Nancy Stichter of Harrisburg, PA and Anne Davidson of Fawn Grove, PA; six grandchildren, Janel Griffith, Nicole (Christopher) McMillian, Kimberly (Jason) Miller, Kristen (Mark) Nelson, Erin (Josh) Moore, and Sean (Kasey) Davidson; and 5 great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed gardening, was an avid fisherman and hunter, loved cheese (“I am like a rat to cheese”), but above all he loved his family.
A US Air Force veteran of the Korean War and a USAF/PaAng supporter during the Vietnam War, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant after 37+ years. He enlisted on October 26, 1949 at the age of 17 yrs and 1 day, with his parents’ permission, into the 148th Fighter Squadron, proceeding through the 140th Aeromedical Squadron, 193rd Supply Squadron, 193rd Civil Engineering, and the 201 CE (Red Horse) Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap. He was also employed 10 years at the US Navy Fleet Material Support Office, Mechanicsburg, PA.
He was a member of Seven Sorrows Blessed Virgin Mary, a 3rd degree member of Council 3501 Middletown, and 4th degree member of Bishop Shanahan Council Knights of Columbus. He was a 45 year active member of American Legion Post 594, life member of VFW Post 6704, member of Wounded Warrior Project, Air Force Sergeants Association, life member of 148th Fighter Squadron Association, member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association, and past member of the Junior Volunteer Fire Company in Reading, PA.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Country Meadows of Hershey and the staff of Grane Hospice, especially his nurse Michelle and his personal care assistant Alex.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 280 N. Race St. Middletown, PA with the Rev. Fr. Ted Keating as celebrant. There will be a viewing from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Matinchek Funeral Home, 260 E. Main St. Middletown, PA and a viewing from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.
Interment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, Reading, PA at 12:30 PM Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Donations in his memory may be made to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc, 117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to Seven Sorrows BVM Church, 280 Race Street, Middletown, PA 17057.
The family has entrusted the care of the Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Middletown to handle the funeral arrangements.