Richard T. Keck, Dutchman who thrived in Lewes

Richard (Dick) T. Keck was born in Nazareth, Pa., July 24, 1945, to Wayne and Lorraine Keck. Dick had a wonderful childhood and enjoyed many activities that planted seeds for passions in his adulthood. He was an Eagle Scout, and loved nature, fishing, hunting and art. Dick was an athlete throughout high school, playing football, tennis and wrestling. He was captain of the football team at Muhlenberg College, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. After graduation, Dick married his first love and childhood sweetheart, Sandy Lichner. Dick and Sandy moved to Lewes, as he was in grad school at University of Delaware for marine biology. They quickly put down deep roots in Lewes and raised their two sons, David and Gregory.

In Lewes, Dick immersed himself in the local culture. He dearly loved waterfowling, saltwater fishing, golfing, gardening and socializing. Using his achievement of Eagle Scout, Dick was a Cub Scout master for years. As his interest in the outdoors grew, and the boats got bigger and bigger, he started an offshore charter business called The Dutchman. Dick’s love for waterfowling also led him to be a world-class, decorative decoy carver, and chairman of Eastern Sussex Ducks Unlimited. Bethel United Methodist Church has been his church home for decades, where he faithfully served in many roles. Dick left being a marine biologist in the 1970s and followed in his dad’s footsteps as a salesman for Fisher Scientific Company, where he worked until Sandy’s passing in 2006.

After his dear wife, Sandy, passed, Dick married Maureen (Mike Brown) Keck. They enjoyed just a few years together before Mike passed away. Even though it was brief, Dick and Mike enjoyed traveling with Mike’s family, and Dick showed a lot of love to his two new grandchildren, Molly and Jake.

Being a stubborn Dutchman, Dick wasn’t one to give up, so he married again to Anne (Smith) Keck. Dick was a loving, devoted husband to Anne and a caring stepfather to her son, Russ. Anne and Dick cherished spending time with each other, and entertaining family and friends. They enjoyed traveling to Costa Rica and spending time on the boat. Dick loved all of his dogs and especially Molly, his most recent lab.

Dick is survived by his wife, Anne; sister, Kathy (Lynn Ratzell) Heller; sons, David (Michelle) Keck and Gregory (Nancy) Keck; grandchildren, Andrew (Sunity) Keck and Ellie Keck; stepchildren, Russ Smith and Courtney (Rudy) Peksens; and step-grandchildren, Molly and Jake Peksens.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dick's memory to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St, Lewes, DE 19958; Ducks Unlimited, donate.ducks.org/donateonlinesecure.aspx?promokey=generaldonation; or Jean and Joan Foundation with Tunnell Cancer Center, beebehealthcare.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Visit Dick’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.