Richard Lancaster
Richard Lancaster

Obituary of Richard Allwine Lancaster

Richard Allwine Lancaster 

Born August 1922 and ushered into heaven July  2020.

Our family is thankful to God for a life well lived. He passed peacefully in his sleep, with his family around him, in his home in Fairfax. After surviving triple bypass surgery and a stroke in 2006, he still lived a full life from his wheelchair with his faithful wife, Evie.  He was cheerful and optimistic and rarely complained.  

 The son of  Everett and Kathryn Lancaster and younger brother to Evelyn Lancaster Leapley, he grew up in Washington, DC.  He leaves behind his wife of 70 years , Evie, two daughters, Debbie and Susie, her husband Jack, and two grandsons, Brandon and James.

Richard’s nicknames Dick, Uncle Wittie, PopPop, Woody, Skipper and Sailor all describe who he was.  Known for the sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face, he struck up a conversation with anyone he met. He was inclusive of everyone. He enjoyed sailing, camping, working on cars, collecting things and spending time with people. He loved to eat dessert any time of the day.

He attended Randolph Macon Academy where he was the Reveille bugler, but graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and entered American University. College was interrupted by WWII when he served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe.  He completed college, married Evie after meeting her on a blind date. They settled in Arlington in 1949. After working for his father’s Patent Law Office until it closed, he found true pleasure working for the DC chapter of The American Red Cross as a blood technician.  Here he met and served many people while driving the Mini Bloodmobile to collect blood. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves as a draftsman and trainer until 1989.     

He was always ready for adventure and fun.  One  of his favorites was  sailing on the Chesapeake  Bay and at Ocean City.  Our family drove across the United States two times coast to coast.  Whenever we were travelling he would search out a church and attend.   It was just one example that showed our family that God should be the most  important part of our life wherever we are.

 A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 3:00pm at Cherrydale Baptist Church, 3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington 22207.  A military burial will take place at a later date.  In lieu of flowers you may give a donation in his name to Cherrydale Baptist Church in Arlington or to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, both are tax deductible.

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Thursday
13
August

Celebration of Life

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Cherrydale Baptist Church
3910 Lorcom Lane
Arlington, Virginia, United States
(703) 525-8210
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