Richard R. Deturck

Richard R. DeTurck, 93, formerly of Lower Alsace Township, passed away peacefully on Thursday June 6, 2019. He was the husband of Marjorie A. (Merkel) DeTurck, who passed away June 5, 2011. Born in Mt. Penn he was the son of the late Raymond H. and Dora (Hook) DeTurck. Dick was a 1943 graduate of Reading High School. After high school he served proudly in the U.S. Navy in World War II on the destroyer escort U.S.S Bostwick in the North Atlantic. After the War he graduated from Lafayette College in 1952. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, where he made many life long friends. After college he went to work with his father in the insurance and real estate business at R.H. DeTurck and Son on N.6th Street in Reading. He was later joined in the family business by his son David and daughter Diane. Dick thoroughly enjoyed his work. He was well respected in the business community and was President of the Reading-Berks Association of Realtors in 1980. He reluctantly retired in 2010. He was also the Lower Alsace Township Tax Collector from 1960 until 1980.
Dick was very active in the community. He was a member of Pennside Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He was a member of F.+A.M. Lodge 62; the Washington Library Company; and a 50+ year member of the Berkshire Country Club. He served on the Berks County Board of Visitors for many years, providing oversite of many County owned facilities.
Some of the greatest joys in his life included vacationing with his family and friends in Stone Harbor and Avalon; golfing at the Berkshire; and taking care of his house on Endlich Avenue, that he and Marge treasured.
Dick is survived by his son Richard R. Jr and his wife Kristin Hotti and their sons Philip and Alex; son David and his wife Maria and their sons Andrew and his wife Caitlin, Michael and his wife Megan, and son Steven; daughter Diane and her husband Scott Sulzer and their son Ryan; and daughter Kathy and her husband Clay Smith and her daughter Rebecca wife of Cory Murphy, son Matthew Ostrow and wife Samantha, and daughter Nicole wife of Derek Borges. There are 3 great grandchildren. Dick is also survived by his brother-in-law Peter Merkel of Naples, Fla.
Visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday June 27, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Lutz Funeral Home Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Ave, Reading. A service will be held on Friday June 28, 2019 at 11:00 am at Pennside Presbyterian Church, 253 N. 25th Street, Mt. Penn. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to a charity of your choice. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com