Richard H. Beckwith, 77, of Norwich, passed away Thursday evening, March 16, 2017, at home with his family by his side.
Dick was born on July 22, 1939 in Richford, NY the son of Hollis and Laura (Magee) Beckwith and was raised in the home of Louis and Edith Anderson who he considered his second set of parents. Dick cut his schooling short so that he could remain home to help operate the Anderson Family Farm. At the age of 18, he entered the United States Army serving his country from October 1956 until his honorable discharge in October 1959.
Dick was not afraid of work and did so in the construction eld all of his life. Over the years he had worked at Bev-Case in No. Norwich, Sherburne Steel, Shop-Vac, Lynk Construction and the gas line. He might be best remembered behind the wheel of a Chenango Asphalt Truck where he worked for several years.
He spent winters at his home in Zephyrhills, Florida where he and his wife Linda would spend 5 months out of the year. While there he enjoyed working outside, xing up his home and playing on his golf cart. Dick always liked to tinker with machinery, rather it was in Florida or his home in Norwich. Over the years he had been a longtime member of American Legion Post #182, was a Life Member of VFW Post #2782 and was a member of the George Rider Hook and Ladder Co. On a regular basis, Dick would attend the Holmesville Baptist Church with his wife Linda.
On August 17, 1996 in Norwich he married Linda Kingsley who survives.
Besides his wife Linda of Norwich, Dick is survived by his chil- dren Richard L. Beckwith of Zephyrhills, FL, Pauline (Anthony) Schambach of Hamilton, Jada (Daryl) Burke of Nunnelly, TN, Sue Anne (Mark) Briley of New Berlin and Rafe Bonner of Norwich. Also surviving are his siblings Betty Graves of NC, Doris Wiers of Syracuse, Carol Gardner also of Syracuse and brother John Shipton. Dick is also survived by his many grandchildren Emerson (Julie ) Buell, Joshua (Jesi) Buell, Matthew (Autumn) Hoyt, Brian Flummer, Ben (Stephanie) Combes, Thomas Figger, Dawnette Hatton, Isabella Briley, Jonathan Foulds and Macaylyn Bonner, along with 13 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Dick was predeceased by his sister Dorothy Muller, his brother Gerald Beckwith and 2 great grandsons.
A funeral service for Dick will be held on Wednesday, March 22, at 11 AM from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. Pastor Grant Smith of the Holmesville Baptist Church will of ciate. Interment with full military rites will be held at a later date from the Riverside Cemetery of South New Berlin.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7 pm and again on Wednesday from 10-11 am.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.