Richard F. Shimer
Richard France Shimer, 75, of Winchester, Virginia, passed on October 7, 2014, in his home.
Mr. Shimer was born in 1939, in Bedford, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Harry A. and Margaret Shimer. Mr. Shimer received a degree in Biology and Economics from Gettysburg College. He was a veteran, earning the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War where he piloted the H34 helicopter. Capt. Shimer was presented the Gold Star for heroic achievement in aerial flight as a helicopter pilot in the Marine Observation Squadron 1 detachment of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, while serving as part of the Caribbean Ready Force. Following honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he flew for PanAmerican World Airways. He retired from United Airlines as a Captain on the Boeing 777. He was a member of the Braddock Street United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, an usher, and member of the Administrative Board. He also devoted time to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Mr. Shimer married Linda L. Telle on November 28, 1987 in Marietta, Ohio.
Surviving with his wife are two sons, Daniel France Shimer, of Sonoma, California, and Andrew Richard Shimer, and wife Whitney Ziel, of Tahoe City, California; a granddaughter, Delilah Shimer-Cortez, of Grass Valley, California; sister, Sally Lee Coyle, and husband John, of Bedford, Pennsylvania; brother, Harry A. Shimer, Jr., and wife Marilyn, of The Villages, Florida; as well as nieces and nephews, John Coyle, Terry Coyle, Tara Wise, Brian Shimer and Kimberly Shimer.
Mr. Shimer was preceded in death by a brother, John Shimer.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Braddock Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Kirk Nave and Rev. Adam Sowders officiating. Interment will be in Fishertown cemetery in Fishertown, Pennsylvania on Saturday October 11, 2014 at 11:30 AM with military honors provided.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Hawse, Robert Carter, JD Berlin, Bob Fetter, Ronnie Simkovitch, Henry Buettner, Robert Fennell, Phillip Hunter, and Bud Dougherty.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601, Braddock Street United Methodist Church Foodbank 115 Wolfe Street Winchester, Virginia 22601, and The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Donor Services P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202.