Richard M. Armstrong

Richard M. (Dick) Armstrong January 31, 1953 - May 28, 2011 Richard M. (Dick) Armstrong, 58, passed away on May 28, 2011, at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, due to complications from COPD and bone cancer. He was born Jan. 31, 1953, in Bellefonte, to the late Mary and George I. Armstrong Sr., the middle son of seven children. He is survived by his sisters, Judith E. Ryan, of Altoona, Jan E. Foust, of Bellefonte, and June Armstrong Bordelon, of Katy, Texas; and a brother, Thomas H. Armstrong, of Julian. Dick was preceded in death by his two older brothers, George I. Armstrong Jr., of Pleasant Gap, and David E. Armstrong, of Marietta, Ga. He graduated from Bellefonte High School in 1970 after an illustrious career playing baseball for the high school as well as the Bellefonte Little League and Teener League teams. In May 1973, he married Patricia Ann Ludick, also of Bellefonte, who currently resides in Las Vegas. Their children, Erin Armstrong Otonowki, 30, and Michael R. Armstrong, 27, also reside in Las Vegas; along with two grandchildren, Lexx Michael and Mikenzie Elizabeth Otonowski, who were the greatest joy in Dick's life. Upon graduation, Dick went to work in the retail industry, where he began as a stock boy and ended in senior store management. He started work at W.T. Grant and Co. in the Nittany Mall, and upon its closing in 1976, continued at that location with the new Gee Bee - State College department store. He worked his way up to assistant store manager, and then transferred to manage his own store at Gee Bee - Pleasant Hills, south of Pittsburgh. He was then sent to Gee Bee - Johnstown, which he managed from 1982 to 1993, when that store was bought out by Value City. He continued with Value City until their demise in 1996, at which point Mr. Armstrong moved his family to Nevada. While there, he worked a short time for T.J. Maxx, then as manager of Carhartt Retailer's American Worker Store until he retired on disability in 2006. Though he had no college education, Mr. Armstrong had a tremendous gift for retail management and increasing store profitability. He felt very fortunate to have spent many years in a career that he loved with so many wonderful employees. Dick was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by his family and many, many friends. On June 7, 2011, a wonderful celebratory gathering was held in Las Vegas by his wife and children for local friends. Final arrangements were made by the Valley Memorial Crematory, Las Vegas. A second Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2011, in a private room at Bonfatto's Restaurant, 205 Park Place, Bellefonte (off Zion Road, Route 550 near Interstate 99). All of Dick's family and friends are welcome to attend this catered event. RSVPs may be directed to june_bordelon@yahoo.com">june_bordelon@yahoo.com">june_bordelon@yahoo.com">june_bordelon@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations may be made in honor of Dick's grandson and nephew to the Autism Society of America; or to your local SPCA in honor of his beloved dog, Spotter.