Richard L. MacPherson

Richard L. MacPherson was born in Washington, D.C. on May 4, 1946, to Raymond and Babette MacPherson. After losing his father at a young age, he was raised by his mother, an eccentric, theater-loving schoolteacher and later a Kennedy Center docent, whose vibrant, flamboyant spirit left a lasting imprint on his life.
Ric attended DeMatha Catholic High School, where he excelled as a football star and earned an NCAA scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. While football shaped his early years, Ric soon found his true calling in the sport he would play for the rest of his life: conversation.
Ric loved the art of talking. With his booming voice, endless impersonations, and marathon-style conversations, he reveled in personal connection. He was deeply empathetic to anyone's plight and often used conversation to draw attention to the struggles of others. This natural gift of gab became one of his greatest assets, fueling his true love of salesmanship and business acumen.
The ultimate entrepreneur, Ric built and led several businesses throughout his life. In his early thirties, he partnered with close friends John Brown and Bill Knight to open R.J. Bentley's Filling Station, along with a bakery around the corner, both College Park institutions beloved by locals and generations of students.
He later expanded his ventures with ownership of Peppers (formerly Boss Shepherd's) and went on to become managing partner of Hayman Business Systems, helping modernize point-of-sale systems for restaurants, hospitality, and retail businesses. Ric rarely worked one job; he thrived on juggling multiple careers at once.
That same enthusiasm carried into his generous donation of time to organizations such as the Prince George's County Hospital Board, the Catholic Business Network of Prince George's County, and his alma mater, DeMatha Catholic High School, where he founded STAG Alumni, a networking group that continues to thrive today. Even as his health declined, Ric rarely missed a weekly Meal on Wheels delivery with his close friend and fellow DeMatha alumni, Steve Kemp.
To say DeMatha had an impact on Ric's life would be an understatement. It was far more than a school—it was a community he deeply cherished, and he never missed a chance to share the latest DeMatha news or sports standings.
In Ric's later years, his bond with his uncle, Arnold "Red" Auerbach grew. Ric became a trusted confidant and made sure Red never missed his weekly Chinatown luncheon with friends, something Ric took great pride in quietly arranging.
To know Ric MacPherson was to know a man who loved big, laughed big, recommended big, debated big and cared big. He was always the first to help a stranger and welcomed people from ALL walks of life with open arms. He was in awe of others' perseverance through hardship and drew inspiration from their determination. He was always late and forever cleaning up wherever he went. He loved his property in Bushwood and became the unofficial steward of its wildlife. In later years, he became the neighborhood "Betty Crocker," delivering freshly baked brownies to his neighbors of College Heights Estates.
Married three times, the father of three children and grandfather of seven, Ric lived a vibrant, and colorful life.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Elizabeth McGregor Betsy Lee; his son, Brenden MacPherson, and his grandchildren Ryan, Maggie, and Samantha; his daughter Heather MacPherson Houlihan (Patrick) and their children Zoe and Riley Houlihan; and his daughter Kelly MacPherson and her children Madeline and Grant Snegon
To honor Ric, DeMatha Catholic High School will host a Celebration of Life on February 21, 2026, in the Antler Room from 2:00-5:00 p.m.