Richard Powell

RICHARD POWELL, EDUCATOR, FAMILY MAN, ATHLETE, ADVENTURER Richard "Dick" Powell, 79, of Gilbertsville, PA, a retired educator from Norristown and Spring-Ford High Schools, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Born in Pottstown, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Yednock) Powell. There, he developed athletic, personal and business skills that would act as his compass for the remainder of his life. His life embodied a line from his favorite poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, "...two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." These roads took him from South Charlotte Street to Kutztown State Teacher's College, the United States Army, high school history teacher, business investments and adventures in Wildwood, New Jersey and Key West, Florida and to world travel where Richard's well known "gift of gab" enabled him and his loving wife, Lucille, to make lifelong friends. While at Kutztown, Richard met Lucille Bechtel, his future wife, also an educator. They shared an affinity for family, teaching, travel and the arts. An exceptional athlete, Richard excelled in tennis, basketball, baseball and football in high school and at Kutztown. He is an inductee of the Pottstown Sports Hall of Fame. He may have been best known as a competitive tennis player and coach and even late in his life, he would still look for a match on local courts in Pottstown, Wildwood and in Key West. Family and friends would say that tennis was a metaphor for how he took on life - he played it with agility, grace, humility and tenacity. Richard taught history and coached tennis, football, basketball and cross country at various times at Norristown High School (1960-1966) and then at Spring-Ford High School (1966-1991). Up until the time of his passing his family would often cross paths with his old students who always had fond memories and a funny story to tell about him teaching or coaching. A born communicator, his mentoring made a positive impact not just within his close family but to his extended family of students and friends. He made over 120 short historical documentaries called, "The Road Least Traveled," that aired for 11 years on PCTV. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lucille; three daughters, Sherri Hulcher, wife of Steve Hulcher of Bryn Mawr, Lori Magilton, wife of Tom Magilton of Whitehall, and Holli Muffler, wife of John Muffler of Collegeville, and five wonderful grandchildren, Madison, Kelsey, Johnny, Will and Mei Lyn. He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 11 a.m. at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville, PA. There will be no viewing. Relatives and friends will be received from 9:30-11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525. Arrangements are by the Morrell Funeral Home Inc., (www.MorrellFuneralHome.com).