Born: August 30, 1925

Died: March 07, 2010

Services: A memorial service celebrating Richard’s life led by Pastor Andrew Garman is scheduled at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church 6300 East Bell Road Scottsdale for 1 pm on Saturday March 13th. The family will host a celebration of his life following the service. Interment will be at the La Casa de Cristo Memorial Gardens.

Visitation:

Richard Werner Bishop Sr. , 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday March 7th in Scottsdale Arizona. Born 1925 in Easton Pennsylvania, he was the second of three children born to William and Emily Bishop.

Richard enjoyed his childhood attending a one room school house in Easton the birthplace and continuing headquarters of Crayola Crayons. He would get in a little trouble with his older brother Bill (who still lives in Easton, PA) and watch out for his younger sister Carolyn Collinge (currently living in Birmingham, AL).

After high school he served in the United States Air Force as a navigator for the famous Flying Fortress B17 bomber during World War II. In 1950 Richard earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, and went on to become a Certified Public Accountant. That same year he married Adeline who’s been by his side for 59 years.

After a few years as an Accountant his desires to own and operate his own business took over. In 1965 he started Everclear – a water conditioning business that did keep your water ever clear and soft! He loved his customers – helping them day and night. He was always there with great service and a joke or two if you needed it. After running that business successfully for over 30 years he retired, sold the business and today that business continues to operate successfully in Indianapolis.

In addition to building a strong business, Richard also built a strong family. He was Scout Master for his son Richard Jr. – working with him to achieve Eagle Scout. He encouraged his daughter Beth to pursue her dreams of becoming a school teacher. Both of his children graduated from Purdue University and went on to earn Masters degrees.

While in Indianapolis for 45 years Richard and Adeline enjoyed friends and fellowship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Upon retiring they moved to Sun City West, Arizona where they enjoyed new friends and fellowship at Lord of Life Lutheran Church for the last 15 years.

Richard enjoyed camping, fishing and the great outdoors. He enjoyed special fishing trips with his friends deep into upper Canada – regions only accessible by train. He was a member of the Sportsmen’s Club of Sun City West. An avid bowler - he won his first league championship with Adeline during their first year of retirement in 1995 with a top score of 206 in one game!

During his retirement he has enjoyed gardening, playing Dominos and becoming a master at a card game called Five Crowns. His Pennsylvania Dutch heritage came through in his baking and he was crowned best Shoo Fly Pie maker in all of Sun City West.

Richard is survived by his son and family, Richard and Ronnah Bishop (Austin, TX) and their children Stephanie & Mark. And by his daughter and family Beth and Blaine Oelkers (Scottsdale AZ) and their children Bo and Kaitlyn.

A special thank you goes to the staff of Hospice of Arizona – Pueblo Norte Unit for your loving care.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to the Richard Bishop Memorial Fund through the Fill The Need Foundation, by mail to 10115 E Bell Rd #107-137 Scottsdale AZ 85260 or online at www.FillTheNeedFoundation.org.

Location: Pinnacle Peak Mortuary (Map)