RICHARD D. BRENNEMAN - Obituary

East Liverpool Review
May 15, 2002

Richard Diamond Brenneman

MORGANTOWN, W. Va., -- Richard Diamond Brennaman, 89, died of natural causes Sunday, May 12, 2002, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

He was born Nov. 30, 1912, in Buffalo, N. Y., son of Charles Melchor and Ollie Diamond Brenneman.

In 1995 Richard was preceded in death by Garnet, his beloved wife of 56 years.

At the age of 8, along with his parents and brother Charles, he moved to the family apple farm at Brownsdale, near New Cumberland. The farm was to become his most treasured place on earth. His father died when he was 14. Richard was forced to assume responsibilities beyond his years and developed a deep appreciation of hard work and strong moral values. Honesty, compassion, and an enduring desire for knowledge characterized his life.

Enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1944, he served as a radar technician aboard the USS Roulette in the Pacific Theatre. He was honorably discharged in 1946 at the conclusion of World War II.

He attended the old one room Elwood School in Hancock County, Wells High School in Newell and graduated from Upper Darby High School near Philadelphia, Pa. Richard studied electronics in the U. S. Navy and later completed correspondence courses in electronics and obtained his teaching certificate through classes at the University of Pittsburgh, Marshall University and Fairmont State College.

Richard taught electronics technology for seven years at Weir High School. Prior to that, he was employed 31 years at Weirton Steel Corp., working first in Quality Control and later in the Electronics Department.

As an active member of the Newell Lions Club, he was awarded a life membership in the International Association of Lions Clubs. He was active in 4-H programs including leading nature walks, helping to establish Camp Aura, and working with the All-Stars. Richard was a member of the Weirton Steel 25-year Club. He was also active with the Hancock County Retired School Employees and the Hancock County Senior Citizens. Richard was a member of Nessly Chapel United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn B. Keech of Morgantown, son and daughter-in-law Richard C. and Diane Brenneman of Plainfield, Ill., and son John W. Brenneman of New Cumberland; sister-in-law, Helen P. Brenneman of Belleair, Fla.; grandchildren, David and his wife Mary Keech of Kingwood, Randy Keech of Pittsburgh, Pa., Pamela and her husband Tim Troje of Rosemont, Minn., Wendy Brenneman and Barbara Brenneman of Egan, Minn.; great-granddaughters Madelynn Engel and Laren Keech; and numerous nieces and nephews.

AT his request, Richard’s body was donated to the Human Gift Registry at West Virginia University. A memorial service honoring Richard’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2002, at Nessly Chapel Untied Methodist Church in New Cumberland.

Memorial donations may be made to the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, c/o WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507. “In memory of Richard D. Brenneman for the BRNI,” should be included on the memo line of your gifts.

Contributed by BOB