Richard S. Kelchner

Richard S. "Dick" Kelchner, 89, of Kutztown, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Willowbrook Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Kutztown, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Eleanor B. (Fox) Kelchner since February 20, 1960. In February, they celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage.

Richard was born on Church Lane at his family home in Kutztown-just up the street from St. John's UCC, where he served as an elder in the consistory, and across the street from Hope Cemetery, where he served for decades as a member of the board of directors. He was the son of the late Samuel L. and Helen I. Kelchner, who started Kelchner Cleaner's Fine Dry Cleaning in Kutztown in 1945. Richard was a 1952 graduate of Kutztown High School, where his senior project was building his own grandfather clock, inspiring a lifelong love of woodworking. He was also a member of the Kutztown High marching and concert bands, playing the kettle drums, which sparked his interest in percussion and led to a decades-long passion as a musician with the Rajah Shriners Marching Band and the Happy Dutchmen.

Though his childhood dream was to run away and join the circus, he followed his family's footsteps and attended the National Dry Cleaning Institute (now the International Fabricare Association), eventually taking over the family business with his brother, Charles. While working at the dry cleaners, Richard met the love of his life, Eleanor Beatrice Fox, who worked as the silk presser, pressing dresses and gowns.

Richard had a deep love for history and antiques. In Kutztown, he is also well-remembered for his annual talk during the Flag Day Celebration in Kutztown Park. During the 1976 bicentennial celebrations of American Independence from Britain, Richard became increasingly interested in flags and their history, eventually erecting a large flagpole in his front yard. He was a self-taught vexillologist (one who studies flags) and a member of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), traveling to numerous conventions with his wife. Over the next five decades, he built a personal collection of 700 historical flags, often commissioning flags from history books to add to his collection for public display. One of his favorite pastimes was presenting about flags of local, regional, or national importance-particularly during the American Revolution-to local historical societies and in classrooms (especially with his grandsons as his assistants).

Richard was a Mason and a member of Huguenot Lodge #377 in Kutztown, the Scottish Rite, the Rajah Temple Shrine, Reading, the Kutztown Fire Company, the Reading Liederkranz, Evergreen Country Club, and the historical societies of Kutztown, Fleetwood, and Albany Township. Lastly, he was an avid bow-tie collector and was often seen wearing a star-spangled bow tie during Flag Day.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor (Fox) of Kutztown, PA; a brother, Charles Kelchner (Betty) of Kutztown, PA; a daughter, Ann Kelchner (David Pinkerton) of Fleetwood, PA; a son, Richard Kelchner (Pam) of Fleetwood, PA; and his grandsons, Weston Fillman of San Francisco, CA, and Ry Fillman (Marin Kirksey) of New Hope, PA. He is also survived by his great-granddaughter, Juniper Fillman, who just celebrated her second birthday.

A funeral service to celebrate and honor Dick's life will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Saint John's United Church of Christ, 257 West Walnut Street, Kutztown, with The Reverend Dr. Harry L. Serio, officiating.  Interment in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown.  Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. in the church.  Masonic Services performed by Huguenot Lodge #377, Kutztown, will take place at 10:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Richard's memory be considered to Saint John's UCC Church, 257 West Walnut Street, Kutztown, PA 19530; or The Hope Cemetery, c/o Melissa Miller, Treasurer, 242 East Walnut Street, Kutztown, PA 19530

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ludwickfh.com.