E. Richard “Dick” Harkins

E. Richard “Dick” Harkins, 76 of West Chester, passed away on October 11, 2017 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, surrounded by his loving family

Born January 13, 1941, in Drexel Hill, PA, he was the son of the late Helen (Smith) and Norman Harkins.

He was the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart, Joan Harkins (Ginther), with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.

He graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1958.

He earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1962. While at Penn, he was a 4-year member of the Penn Wrestling team and served as captain his senior year. He was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Upon graduation from Penn, where he was an Army ROTC member, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry Branch and Reserves from 1962-1965. He was stationed in South Korea and Fort Ritchie, Maryland.

Following an honorable discharge from the US Army, he was employed by E. I. DuPont in Philadelphia, PA from 1965 – 1970. Following DuPont, he was Vice President of Manufacturing at Sentry Paint & Chemical Co. in Darby, PA. He finished his career at Finneran & Haley Paint Company, serving as Vice President of Manufacturing from 1984 until his retirement in 2003.

He was a West Chester resident since 1965, living in Westtown Township since 1974. In 1967, he was founding and charter member of Advent Lutheran Church in West Chester and remained an active member throughout his life.

In addition to his wife, he survived by his four sons, their wives and thirteen grandchildren: Rich & Robin Harkins their children Evan, Kyra, and Graham, Doug & Joann Harkins and their children Ryder, Marcy, Isabel, Dalton, and Rayne, Greg & Tami Harkins and their children Amanda, Emma, and George, and Brad & Lainie Harkins and their children Ethan and Luke all of West Chester. In addition, he is also survived by a brother, Thomas Harkins and his wife June of Plymouth Meeting, PA, their sons, and brother-in-laws Gary Ginther of Exton, PA and Thomas Hodges of Milan, IL. He was predeceased by sister-in-law Linda Hodges (Ginther).

He was a huge sports fan, and remained both a Phillies and Philadelphia A’s fan all his life. While at Penn he worked Philadelphia Eagles game including the Eagles last championship in 1960 held at Franklin Field.

His lifelong love of wrestling included being a regional champion and state qualifier at Upper Darby. He went on to wrestle at Penn and then became a PIAA referee for many years. He could be seen at nearly every WC Rustin wrestling match and baseball game, and Malvern Prep Wrestling or any of the other many events in which his beloved grandchildren participated. Following retirement, he and Joan spent a large portion of their retirement time at Lake Naomi in the Poconos and enjoyed golf, shows, and hosting their grandchildren and their friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Advent Lutheran Church at 1601 Green Lane, West Chester, PA on Thursday October 19, 2017 from 10 AM – 12:00 PM followed by a church service at 12:00, and a lunch from 1:00 – 2:30 at the church.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Advent Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith, & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 610-696-1181. DellaFH.com

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