Irvin Kenneth Richter

IRVIN KENNETH RICHTER, 86 “A Good and Faithful Servant” August 31, 1934 – June 25, 2021I. Kenneth Richter departed this life in his home in Canterbury on June 25, 2021, surrounded by his wife and children, after a short battle with cancer. Born to Erwin H. and Flora B. Richter in Dover, Delaware, “Ken” was the fourth of 4 children, who grew up in north Canterbury on seven acres where they endured hard times due to the depression. Ken helped his family raise chickens and, when he was 12, grew his own garden and kept detailed records of his expenses and crop yields. He also had a cow named “Cracker” who was born on the 4th of July. Kenneth attended and graduated Felton High School in 1952 as Valedictorian of his class of 15 students, where he was also a member of the 4-H Club, glee club, drama club, band (drums) and basketball. After high school, Ken entered the University of Delaware and majored in Civil Engineering, joined the ROTC and was a member of the Scabbard & Blade Military Society. He managed the Blue Hen football team for 3 years and was the only person to receive a football letter, having never played the game. He graduated in 1956 in the upper half of his class and from ROTC received the award for Outstanding Military Leadership. In September of 1956, Ken married Laura Belle Hurd, seven months after meeting her on a blind date arranged by his best friend, John Lyman Sipple, and Laura’s sister Grace (Lyman’s wife).In November, 1956, Lt. Irvin Kenneth served 2 years in the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, VA, Guam, and Fort Mead, MD, and finished his tenure in the Army Reserves in November, 1970.During Ken’s time in the Reserves, he was hired by “The Highway Department” (now DelDOT), and soon became the person selected for the pilot computer program, attending 2 days of “program training” in Boston, MA. The State of Delaware’s first computer was an IBM 620, which was installed and programed by none other than Ken Richter. During his employment with the State, he also was one of 40 employees who planned and initiated the State’s “Savings and Loan” which is now known as “Del-One”. He also sat on the board of directors for Del-One for several years. Other mentionable attributes include teaching computer Data Processing at Wesley College for several years; was a member and Past President of the Dover Rotary Club; served as President of the board of directors for the Dover YMCA; served on the board of directors for Aid In Dover (801 and 802 house for abused children); served on the board of directors since he was 18 years old for St. John’s Lutheran Church in one capacity or another; kept accounting books for Capital Furniture Store (for his brother-in-law Max Lawing) and for the Methodist Peninsula Conference; programmed the weigh station computers for DE Solid Waste Authority; was involved with H.E.E.P through DelDOT and served as Area I Director from 1994 to 1998; and a host of other accomplishments too numerous to mention. During a 16-year hiatus from DelDOT, Ken became part owner of Del-Data Corporation (located on Loockerman Street in the ‘70’s). He served as President and head of Independent Newspapers’ data processing department through Del-Data, after which he returned to DelDOT and worked in their IT department until his “retirement” in July, 1999.Ken did not “retire”. Since 1979, he has been instrumental in organizing, conceptualizing, and putting much energy and life into seven buildings in Dover known as Luther Towers and Luther Village of Dover, which provide Delaware’s low-income seniors a safe, pleasant environment in which to live. He served in many capacities including President of the Board of Directors to Director, to Deputy Director to advisor, up until as recent as 2 weeks before his death this June. Luther Village III, the last building to be built, was Ken’s “baby”, his own concept, and was dedicated to him, and is presently known as the “I. Kenneth Richter” building. In addition to his life’s work in the community, Ken’s personal commitment was to his church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he dedicated his soul to the Lord. Ken is well-known as “a good and faithful servant” and all who know him will agree that he loved his church, loved his God, and lived his life serving God by serving his community and family. Even though he served others, he still had time to enjoy his hobbies which included watching Phillies Baseball, Eagles Football, woodworking, gardening (always had to get that first red tomato before July 4th), planting flowers, creating more gardens and planting more flowers and of course, riding around on his lawnmower even when the grass didn’t need to be cut. Ken was preceded in death by his father, mother and three older siblings (Hubert, John and Bob). Memories of him will be cherished by his wife of 64 years, Laura Belle Hurd-Richter, his four children, Barbara Richter of Singer Island, Florida, David Richter of Woodside, Delaware, Lester Richter of Blackwood, New Jersey, and, and Laura Lee Richter of Wyoming, Delaware; eight grandchildren, Brett and William Robinson, Adam and Alex Richter, David and Joshua Richter, and Rachel White and Jason Bakley; and two great-grand-daughters, Mylah Richter and Jane White. He is also survived by his best friend and brother-in-law, John Lyman Sipple and a host of cousins, and his “second families” at Luther Towers/Luther Village of Dover and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Friends may call at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 2nd, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dover, DE. The funeral service will also be held at St. John’s on Saturday, July 3rd at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment which will be held at Sharon Hills Memorial Park immediately following the service where there will be military and bagpipe honors.

Irvin Kenneth Richter

August 31, 1934 - June 25, 2021