Richard E. Besecker

Richard E. Besecker, age 77, a resident of the Shook Home Chambersburg for the past 3 years and formerly of 508 East Baltimore St. Greencastle, Pa. went to be with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 10:21pm.

He was born on March 7th, 1933 in Waynesboro, Pa and was the son of the late Edward I. and Edith (Shuck) Besecker.

He was a 1951 graduate of Hagerstown High School and received his B.S. degree from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa. He studied additionally at Penn State University, Shippensburg University and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Richard was a life-long resident and inspiration to the community of Greencastle. He was employed for nearly 34 years as a music teacher in the Greencastle-Antrim School District having retired in 1989. Affectionately known as Mr. "B" to his students, he inspired many under his tutelage to love music as well as encouraged them to pursue it as a fulfilling career. Perhaps even more significant was the interest he showed in the lives of his students. Richard was a life vice president of the Old Home Week Association of Greencastle where he served as music director for the pageant and also directed the Sunday evening cantata.
He was an active member of Grace Bible Church of Greencastle and Gideons International. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Richard will be missed by his wife of 56 years, Susan (Meyers) Besecker. Additional surviving family members include his daughter Lois and husband Dr. Ted Bowlus of Ohio, son David and wife Darlanna of Chambersburg, seven grandchildren, Tony, Cari, Sarah, Abby, Allison, Brianna and Jonathan, two great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 20 at 2:00 P.M. from the Grace Bible Church 2327 Hoffman Rd. Greencastle with Rev. Herman Fisler officiating. Any person in attendance who sang in one of Mr. "B''s" choirs will be invited to sing in a rendition of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" at the conclusion of the service. Burial will be in the Beautiful View Cemetery State Line. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 - 8 P.M. at the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home 45 S. Carlisle St. Greencastle and at the church one hour before the service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the Grace Bible Church 2327 Hoffman Rd. Greencastle, Pa. 17225 or to The Gideons International P.O. Box 724 Greencastle, Pa. 17225 or to the Richard Besecker Scholarship Fund C/O Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation 217 East Baltimore St. Greencastle, Pa. 17225. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanfh.com