Richard Challen Sr.

CHALLEN, Sr., Richard F. Richard Faist Challen, 71, dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, entered his Eternal Home in Heaven on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Rich was born in Philadelphia, moved often in his childhood as the son of a US Army Colonel and graduated from Petersburg High School in Virginia. He earned bachelor and graduate degrees in electrical engineering from MIT and worked for General Electric, Chromatics and Barco, Inc. before retiring in 2009. He was a devoted family man who adored his wife and children and especially enjoyed his role as Papa to his grandchildren. Rich was a member of Snellville United Methodist Church for 35 years. He was active in the United Methodist Men, Bible studies and church choir. He demonstrated his strong faith in Jesus through his positive outlook and contagious good nature, which continued to shine even after his diagnosis of cancer in 2014. He kept in touch with family and friends and shared humorous stories, cartoons and puns to lift their spirits. Rich will be missed terribly by his loving family and his many, many friends. Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Deanie; sons, Richard, Jr. and Jonathan (Keri); daughter, Betsy (Michael); five grandchildren, Henry, Guy, Blaise, Margaret and Chance; brother, Robert; sister, Elaine (Ron); sister-in-law, Kandy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Betty Challen, and sister, Eleanor. The Rev. Dr. Jim Cantrell and the Rev. Walter Jones will conduct a celebration of Rich's life at 2 pm on Thursday, January 18, in the Sanctuary of Snellville United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in the Gathering Room at 1 pm on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Snellville United Methodist Church, 2428 Main Street East, Snellville, GA 30078.