Richard Lee Summers

Richard Lee Summers

Richard L. Summers, 77, of Richmond, Va., passed on July 26, 2025. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Sylvia Summers; his parents, William V. Summers and Helen E. Summers of St. Albans, W. Va. He is survived by his brother, William V. Summers Jr. (Lynn) of Parkersburg, W. Va.; nephews, William Summers III, Jason Summers, and Benjamin Summers; Sylvia's sister, Alice Busch (Jim); and nieces, Nikki Passmore, Kristi Noble, and Lauren Busch. Richard was born in St. Albans, W. Va., graduated from St. Albans High School and Concord College with a major in the arts and took graduate study work at the University of Virginia. He then moved to Richmond where he was an executive at the American Heart Association. Richard was a master at architectural design and décor and an expert on antiques; he operated an antiques business and fully restored two homes within Richmond. He was well known as the "Christmas Man" for his elaborate and beautiful decorations at his home on Monument Avenue and is still fondly remembered for a Christmas tree that, when viewed from the street, appeared to rise upward through all three levels of the home on to the roof. It was rumored that the tree had over 10,000 Christmas decorations. Such was his decorating genius and passion.

A special thank you to the Suncrest Hospice staff; Kashif Mohammad of Care Family Home, Tina Cho, attending nurses; Nabeel Mattara; and the Betsy and Al Metcalf family for assisting in his needs and care. Richard chose to be cremated and his ashes will reside with his love, Sylvia, at Augusta Memorial Cemetery in Waynesboro, Va.

If you would like to further honor Richard, please consider a donation in his memory to The University of Virginia Health Foundation, reference Parkinson's Research, PO Box 400807, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904.