Richard D. Leedy, 86, of Chambersburg and formerly of Scotland, PA, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Menno Haven. Born on May 29, 1934 in Chambersburg, he was the youngest of nine children of the late Jacob and Thesta Foreman Leedy. A 1952 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School, he later went into the U.S. Army, and then on to college at the former Shippensburg State Teachers College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Teaching did not turn out to be his chosen profession, but he worked many happy years for the National Biscuit Corporation (Nabisco) as a sales representative. His family always enjoyed the cookies that he brought home from sales meetings! Rich had a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior and worshipped at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Scotland, PA in the past and more recently at King Street United Brethren Church, Chambersburg, PA.
While in the Army, Rich or Dick, as he was also known, was able to travel to several countries in Europe and later continued to enjoy traveling with his beloved wife, Joni, for many years. He especially loved going with family to the beaches of Ocean City, MD, Corolla, NC, Hilton Head Island, SC, and Vero Beach, FL. Riding the waves at the beach was a passion for him and he did it so well! His other passions included eating pizza and ice cream, making cookies and pies, and gardening.
Rich loved to play softball and participated in many tournaments during his lifetime. He also was a participant in the PA Senior Olympics held at Shippensburg State College and traveled on to compete as far away as Louisiana. He enjoyed other sports like basketball and baseball and was both a referee and umpire for local teams. He was an avid bowler and liked to watch old movies, particularly Westerns, having quite an extensive collection of them in videotape form. Rich also enjoyed time spent with family at his mountain cabin and hunting there with them.
Surviving Richard are his wife of 64 years, Carol Joan Peters Leedy; their three children, Susan (Joe) Kopchick of Mechanicsburg, PA, Richard (Amy Grant) Leedy, Jr. of Chambersburg, and Kelly (Ed) Bell of Chambersburg, PA; his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six sisters- Helen Leedy, Florence Rife, Fern Rosenberry, Adaleen Peckman, Mildred Forrester, and Ruby Etter; and two brothers – Fred and Glen Leedy.
Graveside services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Ron Cook will officiate. There will be no viewing or visitation due to Covid-19 concerns.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.