Obituary

Richard “Dick” Keephart, of Betterton, MD, and Wallingford, PA, died on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. He was 83.

 

Born on May 19, 1931 in Chester, PA, he was the son of the late Lester M. and Katie Barker Keephart. He was a graduate of Chester High School and later graduated from Drexel University. Mr. Keephart was a World War II United States Army veteran and was honorably discharged in 1955. Until his retirement, 20 years ago, he owned and operated Orange Party Tree, a gift and card shop in Villanova, PA. Mr. Keephart lived in Wallingford, PA and owned a cottage in Betterton, MD, where he spent most of his summers for the past 70 years.

 

He enjoyed fishing, duck and goose hunting, collecting Betterton memorabilia, and walking on the beach collecting beach glass and other items that washed up. Mr. Keephart also enjoyed teaching children how to fish. He was famous for paying his friends’ children with red licorice for each piece of blue beach glass they would find for him.

 

Mr. Keephart was a member of the Ducks Unlimited, Sassafras River Association, and the Betterton Community Development Committee.
He is survived by a sister, Mary K. Thomson of Center Moriches, NY; a niece, Martha A. Thomson of Dunnellon, FL; three nephews, Jay Scott Thomson of Mastic Beach, NY, Eric Evans Thomson of Mastic, NY, Kirk Alan Thomson of Jupiter, FL; four great nephews, Kristopher Thomson of New Orleans, LA, Evan Thomson of Mastic, NY, Matthew Thomson Mastic, NY and Luke Thomson of Jupiter, FL; and one great niece, Marissa Thomson of Jupiter, FL.

 

Funeral services will be held privately. Donations in his name may be given to the Betterton Museum or Betterton Community Development Committee (BCDC) at P.O. Box 152 Betterton, MD 21610.

 

Arrangements by: Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A 130 Speer Road Chestertown, MD.