Richard Coale Sappington Sr.

Mr. Richard Coale Sappington Sr., 82, nationally recognized for his volunteer work with Hospice, died Monday, Jan. 4, at the Glade Valley Nursing and Rehabilitative Center, Walkersville, after an extended illness.

Mr. Sappington, of Braddock Heights, formerly of Libertytown, was the husband of Ruth Louise Sappington, who preceded him in death in 1981.

Born July 6, 1916, in Frederick County, he was the son of the late W. Gilmore and Madge G. Sappington Sappington.

He was a 1936 Georgetown University graduate, and served with the Maryland Guard and U.S. Army during World War II in the 4th artillery at Fort Bragg as an instructor.

He was employed at Key Chevrolet Cadillac Sales, Inc., Frederick, for 28 years, serving as treasurer, vice president and business manager of Key Motor Leasing and secretary-treasurer of Cheatham Enterprises, Inc., both subsidiaries of Key. He retired in 1974.

He was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Libertytown, where he served as Eucharist minister, president of the Holy Name Society, activities chairman and head usher for many years.

He was a life member and the charter president of Libertytown Volunteer Fire Co., a charter member and past president of Libertytown Civic Association and Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club, president for many years of Libertytown Athletic Association and Frederick-Carroll counties Little League and Babe Ruth League, and assistant scoutmaster of Libertytown Boy Scout Troop.

In 1981, he began his volunteer service with Hospice of Frederick County. After 11 years he had given more than 30,000 hours of volunteer time while driving more than 102,000 miles serving more than 175 patients, as well as family members and grieving individuals. In addition to direct service to patients, he founded the bereavement program, served seven years as facilitator to the peer support group, worked in administration and fund-raising and served on the Hospice Network of Maryland.

He served as president and chairman of the board of directors of Hospice of Frederick County, and by 1986 was instrumental in bringing national recognition to the program. In 1989, he was one of the founders and board members of Hospice Care in Gaithersburg.

In 1992, Mr. Sappington was honored as an outstanding hospice volunteer for the state of Maryland and also selected by the National Association of Home Care and Hospice for its Special Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the American hospice movement. This service, in addition to time volunteered with the American Cancer Society, led to him being selected as Frederick County's Most Beautiful Person and being recognized by Gov. William Donald Schaefer.

Surviving are two daughters, Madge S. Lamb and husband Thomas of Libertytown, and Laura S. Brown-Holley and husband Fred of Hagerstown; two sons, Richard C. Sappington Jr. and wife Susan of Frederick, and Robert E. Sappington and wife Cheryl of Laurel; 13 grandchildren, Tammy Lamb Blake, Tom Lamb, Tim Lamb, Todd Lamb, Tina Lamb Poole, Jeremy Brown, Cheryl Sappington Wiser, Carissa Brown, Jennifer Sappington, Stacey Sappington, Brandy Sappington, Amy Sappington and Robert Sappington Jr.; and nine great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by Evelyn Boone Nash, who he raised as a daughter.

The family will receive friends at Hartzler Funeral Home, Md. 26, Libertytown, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. where a Christian Wake service will be held at 3:45 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m. when the Rosary will be held at 8:45 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 6201-A Church St., Libertytown, with the Rev. John Dietzenbach and the Rev. Mike Misulia as celebrants.

Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, Md. 21702; or Libertytown Volunteer Fire Co., 12027 South St., Libertytown, Md. 21762.