Richard Eric Coyle

Richard Eric Coyle, 53, of Parkville, MD, passed away at home on Monday, September 22, 2025. Richard was born at the then Saint Joseph's Hospital, the second child of Cynthia and Michael Coyle and younger brother of his sister Dana Coyle. Growing up on Hiss Avenue, he attended Parkville Elementary, Villa Cresta Elementary, Parkville Middle and Parkville High Schools, where he was well known among his many friends for his kindness, generosity, intelligence, and unique sense of humor. Upon graduation from the Baltimore County Public Schools, he attended The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, "Virginia Tech," where he earned a BA in Forestry Management.

Returning to Parkville after graduation, Richard continued to pursue his love for the natural world and was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna with a particular interest in birds. While Richard's many talents led him to a professional life as a computer systems engineer, he continued to pursue his interests in nature, traveling to South Africa, Costa Rica and extensively in the United States. When he wasn't working or traveling, he taught himself to be a stained glass artisan, creating beautiful panels depicting the beauty of the world he so appreciated. His work hangs in the homes of his many friends, relatives and coworkers, each piece an example of Richard's connection to his loved ones as well as the planet they share.

Richard made friends for life, so it was not surprising that he was named as a godparent for six of their children, a position to which he was fully committed. While he did not have children of his own, he understood the role of parenthood and was looked up to by all of the members of his extended family. If there was a question about a bird, a tree, or any of the ways of the woods, it was likely that someone would say, "Ask Richard." And if there was a need for someone to untangle a computer problem, Richard was there as what one friend described as his "personal IT expert." When he was not looking after the needs of the humans in his world, Richard also loved his many pets over the years, and they loved him.

Above all, Richard was a devoted son to his mother and a North Star to his only sister. Predeceased by his father, Michael, Richard became what his sister Dana calls "the rock" of the family. In addition to his mother, Cynthia Ann Coyle (nee Rich) sister, Dana Ruth Coyle, and his brother-in-law Terry Elmore, he is survived by his aunts Gail Quatmann (nee Rich), Robin Rich (and her husband, Bill Waters), Trina Rich, Betty Faw (nee Coyle), Edward Coyle (and his wife Mary), Ralph Coyle (and his wife Susan). In addition to his father, he is predeceased by his uncles Woody Rich, Everett Rich, and Troy Faw. Richard is also survived by his six beloved godchildren, Matthew, Zachary, and Luke Meyers, and Nicholas, Lucas, and Marina Kelley.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd Towson, MD, on Monday, September 29, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 6 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cornel Lab of Ornithology at Cornel University https://give.birds.cornell.edu/page/87895/donate/.