Richard A. Cissel

CISSEL RICHARD ALLEN CISSEL "Dick" Was born March 21, 1950 in Bethesda, MD. He died on November 18, 2008, at home, after a five year battle with cancer. Dick was deeply loved by his wife of over nineteen years, Carol Thomas Cissel; and their three children, Taj Michael Cissel, Yvonne Cissel Butters and Cory Thomas Cissel. He was the loving son of Howard and Lucille Cissel, formerly of Darnestown, Maryland, now residing in Pinehurst, North Carolina; and a dear brother to both John and David Cissel. A life long resident of Maryland, he grew up in Darnestown and attended Gaithersburg High School, graduating with the class of 1968. Initially attending Virginia Military Institute, he also matriculated at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he completed a Bachelors of Arts degree in American Studies in 2000. For more than twenty-five years Dick was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. As the founder of Artisan Electrical Services, Inc., which later became Apple Electrical Services, Inc., he used his remodeling expertise to work with both homeowners and general contractors. Dick also gave back to the industry that he worked in. He served on both the local and national Board of Directors for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and was the first electrical contractor to earn Certified Remodeler (CR) status from NARI. Dick was also honored by his profession when he was selected to Remodeling Magazine''s BIG 50 (hall of fame) in 1996. His firms were known to be extremely adapt at handling electrical work in existing homes and for providing customer service of the highest caliber. 99% of his business came from referrals and repeat clientele. He loved the town of Berwyn Heights and lived there for nearly 30 years. He was active on the town council and was a leader in the Berwyn Heights Boy''s and Girl''s Club. His community involvement led him to the Maryland Academy of Excellence in Local Governance, where he graduated with their founding class. Dick was a respected friend and colleague. He was deeply cherished by his entire family. He will be missed by the many whose lives he touched. Family and Friends will gather to celebrate his life, enjoy his love of music and honor his loss on May 2, 2009 at 2:30 p.m., at his home in Berwyn Heights, MD.Family and Friends will gather to celebrate his life, enjoy his love of music and honor his loss on May 2, 2009 at 2:30 p.m., at his home in Berwyn Heights, MD.