Dick is survived by three daughters, Mary Young of Vallejo, California, Shirley (David) Susan of Madison, Wisconsin, and Carole (Glenn) Andrus of Cuba, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a niece. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard, Jr. and his sister, Bertha.

Dick loved driving! He drove semi-trucks, dump trucks, cement mixers, and straight trucks for many different companies in Olean. He drove tractor for his grandpa and on his own small farm on the East River Road, where he and his family lived most of his life. In younger days he enjoyed touring western New York on his Harley motorcycles. He made many trips to Florida and the Midwest, and later drove his fifth wheel camper to California seeing national parks and monuments along the way. He was the crane operator who used a wrecking ball to tear down Olean's old City Hall. Dick was an avid collector of antique tools and frequented auctions in western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Pancake breakfasts were a favorite, especially if the pancake house had old tools on display. Dick was a great story teller, alert to the last, with a wonderful sense of humor and a remarkable memory for details! He loved country music and was a big fan of RFD TV.

He could always be counted on to help family and friends, and in his younger days spent many days off helping his grandfather and uncle on the farm. He was a blessing to his grandchildren in many ways. He was a master at teasing them and became known as "Grandpa Bubblegum" for the gum he carried in his pocket. Dick was a strong person who survived the loss of his young son in 1956, the damage of Allegany River flooding, and a broken neck in his one and only truck accident. He had been a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Olean and recently joined Bethel Church in Portville.

Dick's family would like to thank the Veteran's Administration Homecare, especially his caregiver, Annie, and his friends: Julie, George, and Art (who recently passed away) for their care and concern in his later years. Thank you to the staff at the Olean General Hospital who provided such compassionate end of life care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the V.A. Western NY Home Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215.