Richard Scott Wilt Esquire

Richard Scott Wilt, Esquire, 78, of Huntingdon, died Wednesday, January 8, 2025, following a brief illness. He was born in Altoona on November 2, 1946, the son of Hon. W. Williams Wilt and Marjorie Jane (Benton) Wilt. His parents and his brother, Walter W. "Bill" Wilt, Esquire, preceded him in death.
An exceptional student and athlete, he graduated from Hollidaysburg Area High School in 1964, where he was a four-year letterman in football, a three-year letterman in wrestling, and a two-year letterman in baseball. His academic and athletic achievements led to his recruitment by a number of national college football programs. He accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where his company was chosen to march in the 1965 presidential inauguration parade in Washington, D.C. He transferred to Lycoming College, graduating magna cum laude in 1968. In college, he excelled in football and earned a number of honors in athletics and academics, including being named a Rhodes Scholarship candidate and finalist. "Bro" was a member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity while at Lycoming. He graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in 1973, and received a master's degree in counselor education from the Pennsylvania State University in 1982.
Following law school, he moved to Huntingdon, where worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, acting as closing attorney for the Raystown Dam project. He met Gaie Eby Isett in the summer of 1973, and they married on April 6, 1974 at the First United Methodist Church in Huntingdon. His wife of over 50 years survives at home. He is also survived by his son Lieutenant Colonel Richard Scott Wilt Jr., USA, retired, and his wife, Pia, of Hobro, Denmark; his daughter Julia Benton Wilt, Esquire of Huntingdon; and his grandchildren Elise Wilt and Peter Wilt. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Mimi Stewart Isett of Huntingdon; his sisters-in-law Lita Renninger, Ruth Healy, Anne Banks, Mary Busko, and Janet Wilt; cousins Larry Auman, Connie DeGol, Gary Wilt, James Leamer, and John Leamer; nieces Stephanie Sage, Hillary Sofia Wilt, Elisabeth Banks, Cherie Stoltz, and Meghan Lowe; and nephews Adam Renninger, Jason Banks, John Healy, Paul Healy, Ian Busko, and Sean Busko, all of whom will miss his warmth, generosity, and humor. He is greatly missed by his beloved schnauzers Hildi, Henry, and Daisy.
Richard was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and he practiced law in Huntingdon for 25 years. He also practiced before the United States District Courts in Pennsylvania and in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. While practicing law, he studied for his master's degree with the goal of becoming a drug and alcohol counselor. He founded Mainstream Counseling in Huntingdon, which he opened in January 1984 with the help of his longtime legal secretary, Ruth Carper. He formed Central Penn Settlement company in Huntingdon and was a title agent. In 1998, Gov. Tom Ridge appointed him to serve as magisterial district judge in Huntingdon. He later ran for election and served several terms before retiring in 2018. He worked as a senior judge for several years following his retirement. Serving the community as magisterial district judge was the greatest honor and privilege of his career.
Richard was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a Pennsylvania state skeet shooting champion for much of the 1980s, and he participated in national sporting clays and M1 Garand matches, where he won bronze and silver medals. He enjoyed traveling, and his adventures took him north of the Arctic Circle, as far south as the Cape of Good Hope, and to many locations in between. He was a member of Harry's Valley Rod & Gun Club, Shenecoy Sportsmen's Club, the Standing Stone Hunting & Fishing Association, and the Alexandria Sportsman's Club. He was a member of the Huntingdon County Republican Committee, where he previously served as vice chairman, and he was a longtime board member of Huntingdon County PRIDE. He was passionate about wildlife and habitat conservation, and was a member of several conservation societies. Following his retirement, his favorite hobbies involved working in his orchard on his property in Mill Creek and landscaping at his second home in Florida.
At Richard's request, there will be no public viewing. His family is planning a memorial service for him and his brother Bill, which will be held in Spring 2025.
Memorial contributions may be made in Richard's honor to the Huntingdon County Humane Society or to the Lycoming College Warrior Club.
To sign an online guest book and express condolences, visit www.johnbbrownfuneralhome.com.