June 9 1945 October 21 2019
The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. “Job1:21 It is with great sadness that we anounce the death of Richard Leroy Criser, our husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in law, and friend on 21 October 2019. He was born on 9 June 1945 in Keyser, WV to Max Delbert and Mary Ann Helmick Criser. He was the oldest of twelve children. He died in his home in Kenna, WV after a short illness. He grew up near Keyser, WV in a small town called New Creek. He was a graduate of Keyser High School, Potomac State College, West Virginia University and the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies (WVCOGS). He was a chemical engineer for Union Carbide and Dow Chemical for 33 years and continued to work on a contract basis for the next 15 years after his retirement. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a mentor to his 5 sons, a proud grandfather, an exemplary older brother, and the patriarch of a strong and stable family. He loved peace and quiet, nature, and most of all work. He began his life of work cutting pulp wood for a local pulp and paper mill and ended his life cutting timber, preparing the planks, and building furniture for his friends and loved ones. He had an undeterred willingness to serve others and his Father in Heaven. He worked tirelessly to provide both the needs and wants of his family and friends. He had a deep understanding of the scriptures and an insatiable quest for knowledge about our Heavenly Father’s plan for each of us. His generosity was unequaled. He made our lives brighter when he applied reason and facts to the challenges and experiences of this world. Our days will be more sad and much less interesting without him. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margie Ellen Lambert Criser: his five sons and their families. Scott: wife, Tonya and daughters Amanda, Brenna (husband, Robbie and daughters Halle and Marnie) and Maggy; Thomas: wife, Elizabeth and daughters, Sarah and Hannah. Andrew: wife, Jessica and daughters, Maya, Lilli and Bree. Brent: wife, Adrienna and children, Trent , McCoy and Vera. His surviving siblings are Barbara Centofonti of Keyser WV, Max Criser of Aiken SC, Linda Kesecker of Keyser WV, Janie Reckner of Holsopple PA, Steven Criser of Keyser WV, Faye Parker of Mannington WV, Nancy of Chesapeake VA, Edward of Winston Salem NC and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents and three siblings: Peggy, Paul and Valerie.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Richard Leroy Criser of Kenna West Virginia June 9 1945 October 21 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Charleston, state: West Virginia