Richard Wayne Sweringen

Richard (Dick) Sweringen was 91 years old when he passed away peacefully in his residence at Longwood at Oakmont. He was born in Aliquippa, PA to Dale K. and Anna B. (nee Hineman) Sweringen and was the youngest of six children. He graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1951 and then enlisted in the USAF in 1953. Upon his Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sargent in 1957, Dick returned to Aliquippa and utilized the GI Bill to attend night school at Geneva College. It was there that he met his future wife, Gracemary (Gaye) Wilson (1936-2023) in Spanish class. Several years later he graduated with a business degree and, having been married to Gaye in the meantime, already had two children: first Jill then 15 months later, Richard, II. His entire business career was spent at Westinghouse. Initially in Mansfield, OH where Jon was born, before transferring to the Cheswick EMD branch in 1967 where he stayed for the duration. He traveled the world from Europe to Japan and Korea until his retirement 1999. Even then he worked as an International Business Consultant for a short time before deciding to pour his energy into further developing his hobby of tree planting into a successful seasonal business. Brier Hill Farm became a popular "cut your own" style seasonal Christmas tree farm which he had cultivated from scratch in the 1980's and maintained until his second retirement in 2015. He was happy to provide the beautiful, tall Christmas trees for the church alter for many years. Throughout his professional and family life there was a constant theme of service to others as evidenced through his 56 year membership at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. There he participated in several different committees in addition to serving as an Usher, Deacon or Elder as well as several years of monthly Sunday morning visits at the local VA for fellowship with other Veterans. Following a 10 year stint of living in Beaver, PA to be closer to their siblings and the Christmas tree farm, Dick and Gaye moved to Longwood at Oakmont in December 2014. While there they cultivated new friendships and enjoyed such activities as walking the beautiful grounds, attending lectures, listening to live music and trying their luck at Bingo. This move also brought them closer to their sons and beloved grand daughter, Elena (Lena) and afforded them the opportunity to visit with her more frequently. For this we are all very grateful. Dick is survived by his daughter Jill (Barbara), sons Richard, II and Jon (Megan), grand daughter Elena, and sister in law Marge Wilson, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of over 61 years, Gaye, all of his siblings and their spouses, and nephew, Jeff Hineman. Dick was a man who walked his talk, looked you in the eye as he shook your hand and had a characteristic laugh that was boisterous yet infectious. He made the best out of any situation, challenging as some were, and lived with integrity. He is, and will always be, missed. His family is very appreciative of the care he received at Longwood over the last few years. Patient and kind are two words that come to mind immediately when thinking of the staff on the Riverside hall. Additionally, Heartland Hospice played an integral part in his care and comfort in the last few months in particular and for that we are also very grateful. Donations may be in memory of Richard W. Sweringen to: Heartland Hospice 3520 Route 130, Bldg #3 Irwin, PA 15642 (724-744-1408) A Memorial Service will be held on February 15, 2025, 11:00am at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church 384 Fox Chapel Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Professional services entrusted to Smith Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd; 930 Center Avenue Blawnox, PA, 15238; www.thomasmsmithfuneralhome.com.

Richard Wayne Sweringen

September 20, 1933 - December 29, 2024