Richard D. Mitstifer

Mr. Richard D. Mitstifer, age 82, of Varna, NY died on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Cayuga Medical Center after a long illness.

Mr. Mitstifer was born on September 2, 1932 in Sodus Point, NY, the son of the late Torrance and Lois (Kennedy) Mitstifer. He lived there until moving to Troy, PA in 1934. After graduating from Troy High School in 1950, he spent one year at Mansfield State Teacher’s College. He went to work for Troy Engine and Machine Company as a machinist in 1951. He worked there until enlisting in the ASA division of the Army in 1953. After basic training, he was trained at Fort Gordon, GA as a High Speed Radio Operator. Upon completion, he was transferred to Germany for the remainder of his tour in the Army. In 1955, he returned to work at the Troy Engine and Machine Company in Troy, PA.

In 1959, Mr. Mitstifer went to work at the Laboratory of Nuclear Studies in Newman Lab, at Cornell University as a machinist. In 1979, he was promoted to Manager of Technical Services, overseeing the operation of the machine shop. In 1989, the Drafting Department was added to his responsibilities. He was also on the machine shop advisory board at Tompkins/Seneca BOCES and Mechanical Technologies at TC3 in Dryden, NY.

Mr. Mitstifer and his wife, Betty A. (Rumsey), enjoyed traveling the country by automobile. On many occasions, his mother-in-law, Mabel Rumsey, traveled with them. They visited every contiguous state in the union. He enjoyed collecting knives, mostly pocket style. He was a member of the American Legion Post 770 in Trumansburg, NY and the Wheel Inn Inc. in Roaring Branch, PA. In 1990, he worked part time for H&R Block doing taxes. From 1991 through 2010 he volunteered for RSVP doing TCE taxes. He also volunteered driving for FISH.

Mr. Mitstifer is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty Ann of Varna; one daughter, of a previous marriage, Birgitte M. (Bruce) Honeywell of Horseheads, NY; two grandsons, Richard Honeywell of Horseheads, NY and Daniel Honeywell of Hoboken, NJ; and several sisters and brothers in law, aunts, an uncle, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Mitstifer was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Robert M. Mitstifer.