Richard A. Black

Richard Alvin Black was born on August 9, 1929 in Dravosburg, PA, first born to Alvin Lancaster Black and Hazel Lucille McCoy Black. He grew up during the Depression, living in Dravosburg, Clairton and Wilson, smaller towns south of the Pittsburgh metro area. He was a drummer in the Clairton High School band, and graduated in 1948. After graduation, he enlisted in the brand new branch of the military, the United States Air Force. His main occupations were the US Steel industry and trucking. His interests were in traveling and RVing, football, family, and ancestry.

 

 

 

 

Richard Black Obituary

Richard Alvin Black

Published:  Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Aug. 9, 1929 – Nov. 7, 2008

Richard Alvin Black, 79, of Crystal River, Fla. and formerly of Spencerville, died Friday after a long illness.

He was born Aug. 9, 1929, in Dravosburg, Penn., to Alvin and Hazel (McCoy) Black.

He was married to Rosalyn “Lyn” Ann Eschmeyer, who survives in Crystal River.

Other survivors include daughters Laurel (Ron) Morris of Hertford, N.C., Christine Black of Denham Springs, La., and Leslie (Bill) Klausing of Delphos; stepdaughters Valerie Beck of Lima, Julie (Kurt) Ehermann of Anna and Martie (Jerry) Bradley of Columbus; sister Barbara (Ed) Black Withers; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. Black retired from BOC Airco after 22 years of employment. He had also worked for Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp. on the Ohio River stern wheelers as a deck hand. He also worked in the steel industry and in the trucking industry, in which he served as a union steward. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force who served in the Korean Conflict and played for the Air Force football team. He had been offered an appointment to West Point but chose to attend Penn State University.

He was active in the American Legion in Spencerville and the Moose and Elks clubs in Florida. He was a 1948 graduate of Clairton High School in Clairton, Penn., where he was a drummer in the high school band. He played semi-pro football for the Dusquene Orioles.

A private visitation will be held at Strickand Funeral Home in Crystal River. Burial will be at the Florida National Military Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home, PO Box 398, Crystal River, Fl., 34423