Richard Paul Herter, age 53, passed away in great peace and comfort on Sunday, June 14^th, 2015, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on January 29, 1962 in Rome, NY.  Having a heart condition in his youngest days, his family moved to Phoenix, AZ to a warmer and drier climate for one year before returning to Central New York in 1965.  He lived there until he permanently relocated to Winchester, VA, in 2002.

He graduated from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School in 1980 and from Syracuse University in 1984 with a degree in Accounting.  He worked at Agway for many years and at several jobs in Northern Virginia before finding a job he truly enjoyed with the management and staff at Prison Fellowship Ministries in Lansdowne, VA.

An avid reader and lover of American history, Richard was particularly fond of the Civil War and World War II, and gained an uncanny ability to recall major military figures, strategies, battles and campaigns from memory.  He also had a fondness for the quiet and solitude of family vacations at natural beaches and lakes, and a love of camels and moose.

He was predeceased by his beloved grandmother, Matilda Vanderhoof, in 2005.  He is survived by his parents, Albert Herter of Yellow Springs, WV, and Rita Herter of Winchester, VA; sisters Paula (Paul) of Clear Spring, MD and Karen of El Dorado  Hills, CA; brothers Gregory, of Covington, VA, Douglas of Syracuse, NY, Matthew (Katharine) of Winchester, VA, Timothy (Carol) of Mebane, NC, and Daniel (Sarah) of Utica, NY.

Richard is also survived by 30 nieces and nephews, and confirmed in his later days what those who loved and knew him so well to be true:  he loved to hear the words “Uncle Rick” more than any others.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 9:00 AM immediately preceding the Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Richard’s life at 10:00 AM.  Both services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 130 Keating Drive, Winchester. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Prison Fellowship Ministry at 44180 Riverside Parkway, Lansdowne, VA  20176, or the Diocese of Arlington Seminarian Development Fund, 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 811, Arlington, VA 22203.