Richard R. Church (1938 – 2024)

Richard R. “Dick” Church - 86 – of 178 Port Road, Binghamton, passed away October 24, 2024.  He is now reunited in Heaven with his loving wife, Mary, who preceded him in death on March 5, 2017.  Mary and Richard were residents of Binghamton since 1990.

Born on March 10, 1938, in White Sulphur Springs, WV, he was the son of Jahue and Mary Anna Church.  He was the brother of siblings David, Joyce and Wayne.

Dick was a 1956 graduate of Greenbrier High School in Ronceverte, WV and a 1962 graduate of West Virginia University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. 

Dick began his professional career with the New York State DOT in Hornell, NY in 1962.  After moving to Binghamton in 1990, he achieved and served in the position of Regional Director for Region 9 of the NYSDOT, until his retirement in 1997.  Following his retirement from the NYSDOT, he worked as a traffic accident reconstruction expert and expert witness until 2013. 

In 2014, Dick became a published author of “A Bluebird and Gold Coins”, which is a semi-autobiographical account of his life growing up in 1940’s West Virginia.

Dick was an active member of Rotary International, beginning in Hornell in 1980, eventually reaching the level of District Governor for District 7170 while a member of the Nimmonsburg-Hillcrest Club. Dick was an active member of the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church.  He was also an avid fan of the Binghamton University Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, a Buffalo Bills fan, as well as a golfer, gardener, and fisherman.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was married on May 30, 1962, to the former Mary Louise Mitchell, who preceded him in death after almost 55 years of marriage.  He was also preceded in death by one step-son Tom Hare, one granddaughter Brandi Hare and one grandson Bradley Hare.  He is survived by son Todd Church (Patty) of Canandaigua, NY, stepson Tim Hare (Pamela) of Colden, NY, granddaughter Mandy Hare and great-grandson Bryson of Florida.

The family of Richard R. Church will receive friends on Tuesday from 4-7pm at the Chopyak-Scheider Funeral Home, 326 Prospect Street, Binghamton, NY. A funeral service will be offered by Rev. Harold Wheat, pastor of the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church on Wednesday at 10:30am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Holy Spirit Cemetery.