Richard Charles Werkheiser
Richard Charles Werkheiser, 82, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Bentonville, Ark. He was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Freemansburg, Pa., to Charles and Marguerite Werkheiser.
He sang in the high school chorus and played trumpet in high school and college. More recently, he was active in the local men’s chorus and his church’s choir.
He received a partial college scholarship and worked at Bethlehem Steel to pay for the remainder. In 1955, he graduated with a bachelor’s degreee in mechanical engineering from Lehigh College (now Lehigh University) in Bethlehem, Pa.
In 1954, he married Sandra Jean MacMichael of Philadelphia, Pa. They moved to Newington, Conn., and he began his 37-year career with United Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. He made many friends around the world thanks to his business travels. He and Sandy had two children before she preceded him in death.
On May 8, 1981, he married Ida Lee Cunningham in South Windsor, Conn., where they made their home for over a decade and developed many great friendships. He continued traveling to many countries, sometimes with Lee by his side.
Three years after his 1992 retirement, they made their new home in Bella Vista, Ark. Together, they enjoyed and entertained their many new-found friends. In 1994, they helped build a new Methodist church in the Highlands, where they became choir members and were Care Group leaders for eight years. They played much “relearning” golf for 15 years. He transferred his recreational energies to tennis and racquetball. They were 15-year volunteers for both the Bella Vista Crime Watch and the Walton Arts Center.
He was also preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Lee, just three weeks before; and by his stepdaughter, Cathy Turner.
He is survived by his children, Wendy Jean Fusco and husband Henry of Dayville, Conn., Richard Scott Werkheiser of Vernon, Conn.; a stepdaughter, Carol Ann Cunningham of Woodstock, Vt.; a son-in-law, Randy Turner, of Oklahoma; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for both he and Lee was Sept. 16, 2016, at Highlands Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.