Richard W. Boone, 70, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City after a short hospital stay following a sudden cardiac event.

Born March 7, 1950 in Utica, NY, Richard was the son of Herbert and Clara (Liedke) Boone. Those who knew Richard knew he loved his work, which started at grocery stores when he was in high school at Utica Free Academy.

After graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College with a degree in mechanical engineering, Richard enlisted in the Navy Reserves. He married Sherry Robbins in 1972 and she joined him at the Naval Air Station in South Weymouth, MA where he worked as a radioman.

Upon completing his military service, Richard's work for Harrisville Manufacturing, which specialized in Viking snow plows, led him and Sherry to live in various places, including Harrisville, NY; Fort Collins, CO; Rapid City, SD and Syracuse, NY prior to adopting their daughter, Ashley in 1985. The family later lived in Carthage, NY until moving to Wallkill, NY when he took a job at Amthor Welding International. When Ashley was in high school, Richard took a job at McClain Gallion Inc. and moved the family to Millersburg, OH, where he enjoyed working with his many Amish employees. In 2004, Richard and Sherry moved back to the East Coast to Blandon, PA where Richard worked for Reitnouer Trailers until his retirement in 2016. Richard appreciated the details of truck and trailer design and the communication with various material suppliers and distribution entities.

After marrying Sherry, Richard cherished many activities with her father including various Canadian fishing trips, accompanying Earl on well drilling jobs and participating in Masonic activities. Richard was raised to the degree of  Master mason in January 1980 at Carthage Lodge No. 25. He was later a member of Bethany Lodge No. 821, and took great delight in raising his son-in-law, Kevin Kumpf, to the degree of Master mason in March 2018 at Pierre Lodge No. 27.

Throughout his life, Richard participated in bowling leagues and at one time served as a league president. He loved to tinker in the garage, expressing his artistic side by rebuilding or repainting yard and home decor to compliment his enjoyment of home landscaping.

Being outdoors brought Richard great happiness, and so nature often guided the family's travels. Although he relished trips to national parks around the country, and more recently cruises to Mexico, having visited Acadia National Park for over twenty summer vacations, pine tree scented Maine was forever in his heart.

For most of their marriage, Richard and Sherry were always accompanied by a dog. After an eight-year-old Ashley passively campaigned with notes in his lunch, previously cat-opposed Richard conceded to a Christmas kitten. In a full turn of heart, when their most recent dog died, Richard vowed he and Sherry would not get another dog for the time being as it might upset their current lap cat, Bear.

Retirement brought Richard and Sherry back to the Black Hills region of South Dakota to spend time with Ashley and husband Kevin. Discovering a newfound love for reading and backporch bird watching, Richard also enjoyed gardening and traveling in the area to take in local views, wines and brews. Richard loved to talk about classic cars, his family and the weather. He always picked a funny or feel-good movie or show and took pleasure in quietly showing care for those he loved.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, sister Joyce DelVecchio and several nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held for the immediate family with a Celebration of Life to be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for contributions to be made to your local non-profit organizations or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with whom Richard participated as a citizen scientist for Project FeederWatch. https://tinyurl.com/MemorialGiftBirds