SARATOGA SPRINGS — Richard A. Stover, 78, passed away on Sunday, February 9 at Saratoga Hospital.
Born on January 2, 1936, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Arthur and Dorothy Monroe Stover. Dick grew up in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and graduated from Clarks Summit Abington High School, during which time he was active in both the Boy Scouts of America and in the Explorers, attaining the highest awards in each organization as both an Eagle Scout and a recipient of the Explorer Silver Award. From an early age, Dick was an avid outdoorsman and was noted for his success in bird hunting, fishing and extensive canoe adventures, which included running the lengths of the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers.
He went on to Keystone Junior College for two years and then graduated two years on from Penn State.
Dick married Eileen Casey on June 25, 1960 in New York City and thus began a great and multi-chaptered love that came to a close in its corporal, but certainly not true sense, after 53 years this past Sunday. They set off on a life of what can only be described as a loving relationship, cohesive to its core, that brought about a series of travels and adventures, both great and small, fuelled by a mutual curiosity, Dick’s quiet patience and his wonderful sense of True North, a direction that was an asset to all around him.
Dick began his teaching career in science in Centereach, obtained his master’s degree at Syracuse via the National Science Foundation, and along with his wife taught in Frankfurt, Germany during 1964-65. Upon their return, Dick began an innovative 26-year tenure teaching high school Earth Science in Suffern.
In the past few decades, winters found Dick greatly enjoying life in the Florida Keys. Using his green-thumb to bring palm trees and other native species to their fullest, and spending time out on his boat, “Fred,” in the channels where the birds, porpoises and wildlife—especially the Key Deer on Dick’s beloved Big Pine Key— were sources of great happiness.
Summers, found him in Saratoga and a late-blooming affection for the town’s horse racing as well as the concerts and culture that the area afforded.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Eileen of Saratoga Springs, and his son, Marshall, of Woodbury, Vermont.
A memorial service is planned for the spring.
In lieu of flowers, etc., donations may be directed to the public library that he so enjoyed in the Keys: Big Pine Library, 213 Key Deer Blvd. Big Pine Key, FL 33043.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
