Richard K. Westervelt

Richard K. Westervelt of Trumansburg passed away at Beechtree Care Center on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the age of 85.

Dick was born in Ithaca on March 11, 1931, a son of the late Leon and Ruth (Krum) Westervelt. He worked for the Telephone Company for 35 years as a mechanic prior to his retirement. No stranger to hard work, Dick worked a variety of additional jobs over the years including helping local farmers, custom welding, carpentry, rust-proofing vehicles, and woodworking.

He loved camping, snowmobiling, and traveling with his family. Dick was especially proud of the fact that the Westervelt and Heila families started cross country ski trips to the Canadian Ski Marathon. A devoted family man and friend, Dick was always supporting his children at various events and was always willing to lend a hand.

Even after suffering a stroke in 1995, Dick remained positive and beat all of the odds, living a full life over the past 21 years. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Skezas for his care over the past 20 years and the wonderful staff at Beechtree Care Center for the compassionate care of “Rusty” over the past 3 years. “Rusty” often gave the residents and staff nicknames at Beechtree.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Beverly Westervelt; four children, Richard Westervelt, Pamela (Richard) Blass, Mark (Linda) Westervelt, and Darrick Westervelt; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Westervelt, Kristy Moore, Erik Blass, Timothy, Melissa, and Steven Westervelt, and Collin Worrell; and four great grandchildren, Amelia and Breanna Moore, and Teagan and Brynn Blass. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Worrell in 2009.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family asks those that would like to make a contribution in Dick’s memory to kindly consider the Trumansburg Volunteer Fire Co., EMS, PO Box 418, Trumansburg, NY 14886 or the SPCA of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.