Richard Dillon Booth
Richard Booth Obituary
Richard lived to bring bring a smile to the face of others. A light-hearted man, always quick with a witty retort or a gentle tease, he was greatly beloved by his family and friends. He was also a civic leader who naturally rose to the presidency of every organization that he belonged to, an honest politician, and a passionate supporter of land conservation.
Raised in the mountains of Ebensburg, PA by his parents Donald and Louise Booth (nee Dillon), Richard and his three brothers shared boyhood adventures typical of small towns in the 40s and 50s. It was here that his work ethic was developed. Losing his dad when he was a teenager meant that all the boys needed to work, and Richard rose early every day to scrub the floor and stock shelves of the local drug store before school and on weekends. His classmates at Ebensburg-Cambria High School recognized his potential and elected him to lead the Student Council.
Dick, as he was known then, and his twin brother Dave graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1959. Dick chose a degree in business administration. His accounting career included the Bendix Corporation, the Celanese Corporation, and finally Mel Richman, Inc. of Bala Cynwyd, an award-winning advertising company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer for 30 years.
However, it was in local politics that Richard’s administrative talents truly came to the fore. Elected by running for the Upper Moreland Township Commission on a write-in ballot, Richard served his community with dedication and integrity for over 20 years, six of those years as President of the Board. He also served as President of the PA State Association of First Class Townships, and was recognized as the Eastern PA’s outstanding Commissioner of the Year, 2002. In addition, Richard presided over the Upper Moreland Library Board for a year and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2012. He also served for 9 years as the President of the Upper Moreland Township Foundation. In addition he found time to coach girls’ softball and was a member of the Upper Moreland School Board Advisory.
Richard was most proud of his involvement with the Pennypack Restoration Ecological Trust, helping it to grow into a regional land preserve of almost a thousand acres of protected meadows, woodlands and floodplain forest. At the Pennypack he became a committed member of the Board of Trustees for over 23 years, serving as Treasurer, Vice-President, and President.
Richard’s leisure activities included many exciting sailing adventures with his buddies to the Chesapeake Bay area and the Caribbean islands. He loved playing tennis at the Roosevelt Racquet Club where he served on the Board of Governors for 4 years and was the President for 2. In egalitarian fashion, Richard followed both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was also an avid reader of history and a current events news junkie.
With Lowell, Richard traveled to many national parks, 41 states, and 23 countries. River Cruises were a favorite way to travel.
Richard served 6 months active duty and 5 1/2 years reserve duty in the United States Army. He was proud of his service to his county.
Richard is survived by his devoted wife Lowell, the children of whom he was so proud — Mark Booth (Kathleen Odell), Amanda Detweiler (Joseph Santucci), and Rachel Booth, (Patrick Dillett); beloved granddaughters Hannah, Poppy, and Penny; younger brother and best friend Frank, sisters-in-law Tracy Booth and Rosemary Booth-Rosage; and 13 nieces and nephews of whom he was extremely fond. He was predeceased by his parents, by his older brother Don, and his twin brother Dave.
A memorial will be held at a future time.
Please consider donating directly to the Pennypack Ecological Trust instead of a PLANT A TREE.
Then the funds will go directly to supporting the Pennypack Ecological Trust.
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