Obituaries

Richard "Dick" Charles Werkheiser

Photo of Richard "Dick" Charles Werkheiser
Richard Charles Werkheiser, 82, passed away September 12, 2016 at Northwest Hospital, Bentonville, Ark. "Dick" was born November 18, 1933 in Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, to his parents Charles Elmer and Marguerite Irene (Schweitzer) Werkheiser. He sang in the high school chorus and played trumpet in high school and college. More recently Dick was active in the local men's chorus and his church's choir. Dick received a partial college scholarship and worked at Bethlehem Steel to pay for the remainder. In 1955 he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh College, now Lehigh University. In 1954 Dick married Sandra Jean MacMichael (deceased) of Philadelphia, Pa. They moved to Newington, Conn., and Dick began his memorable 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. Dick and Sandy had two children, Wendy and R. Scott. On May 8, 1981 Dick married Ida Lee Cunningham in South Windsor, Conn., making it their home for over a decade and developing many great friendships. He continued traveling to many countries, with Lee at times as well. Dick and Lee remained married until death, over 35 years. They were very active members of the South Windsor Congregational Church. Lee was employed as an accountant at Coleco Industries in West Hartford. Together they hosted many meals, cookouts, and card parties at their home and summer cottage on Lake Alexander in Connecticut. Three years after Dick's 1992 retirement from Pratt, they made their new home in Bella Vista in NW Arkansas at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Together they enjoyed and entertained their many newly found friends. In 1994 they helped build a new Methodist church in the "Highlands" neighborhood, where they became choir members and were Care Group Leaders for eight years. With seven golf courses available, they played much "relearning" golf for 15 years. Dick transferred his recreational energies to tennis and racquetball. From 1994 to 2009 Dick and Lee volunteered for the Bella Vista Crime watch in their area and as ushers at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, enjoying many productions. Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife Lee just three weeks before and by his step-daughter Cathy Turner, OK. Dick is survived by his daughter, Wendy Jean Fusco and husband Henry, Dayville, Conn.; his son, Richard Scott Werkheiser, Vernon, Conn.; step-daughter, Carol Ann Cunningham, Woodstock, Vt.; son-in-law Randy Turner, Okla.; his grandchildren, Jeremy Young and wife Noel, North Andover, Mass., Scott Werkheiser, New Britain, Conn., Austin Turner, Molly Turner, and Sarah (Turner) McGowen and husband Dustin, all of Oklahoma, Loren and Matthew Washborn, Vermont; and his great-grandchildren, Tobias, Whitaker, Cassidy, Cordelia Young, all of MA, Grace and Liam McGowen, both of Oklahoma. A memorial service for BOTH Dick and Lee will be on September 16, 2016 at 11 a.m. in their Highlands Church, 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, Ark., with refreshments following the service. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published September 15, 2016

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