Richard Earl Durst

Richard Earl Durst    “beloved husband, father and grandfather”

COUDERSPORT, Pa.---Richard Earl Durst, 73, of Coudersport, passed away with his loving family by his side on Thursday, January 3, 2019, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with complications.

Born on February 7, 1945 in Port Allegany, he was a son of William and Anna Denning Durst.  On August 27, 1966 in Buffalo, N.Y., he married Judith E. “Judy” Tangelder, who survives.

Richard graduated from Coudersport Jr/Sr High School, Class of 1963.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966 as an aircraft mechanic, serving in Germany for 2 ½ years. 

Following his military service, Richard was employed at Bell Aerospace in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and by National Gypsum in Depew, N.Y.  After returning to the Coudersport area, he was employed by the Tannery in Coudersport and by the former Pure Carbon in Coudersport.  He was a self-employed logger and also was employed in the maintenance department at Charles Cole Hospital in Coudersport for 25 years.

Richard was a member of Coudersport American Legion Post 192 and a life member of the NRA.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, anything to do with history and in the past, spending time with his chocolate lab, Rooster.  He built his own home. He loved to feed the deer in the winter and the birds in the summer, but his greatest love was spending time with his family. 

Surviving besides his wife of 52 years are three children, Jenny L. (Jay) Bright of Coudersport and twins, Robin M. (Joseph) Moyer of Greensburg and William T. “Bill” (Hannah) Durst of Nelson; seven grandchildren, Jordan L. Bright, James A. Bright, Joseph L. Moyer, Tristan N. Moyer, Grey A. Moyer, Emma A. Durst, and Ella E. Durst; a brother, David A. (Mary) Durst of Coudersport; a half-brother, Stephen (Wanda) Kelly of Coudersport; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by two half-brothers, Eugene Kelly and Robert Kelly.

Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at the Coudersport American Legion where a celebration of Richard’s life will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. James Campbell, pastor of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, officiating.

Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors following the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Richard’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Richard, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com