Dick Waybright, Past President, Passes

Dick Waybright, Past President, Passes

All of us at the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our own. Dick Waybright was a giant in Pennsylvania agriculture; long-term member and past president of the Society. A brilliant mind, friend to presidents and agricultural innovator, he was known throughout America and the world as a prominent advocate for farming. Richard Waybright will be greatly missed.  

The following obituary appeared on GettysburgTimes.com

Richard C. Waybright, 85, of Gettysburg, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Ministries. He was the loving husband of Anna Lorraine (Hartman) Waybright of Gettysburg.
Born April 19, 1930 in Gettysburg, he was a son of the late Clarence Jacob and Dorothy Ellen (Hess) Waybright.

Richard graduated from Gettysburg Area High School in 1948. He served as Pennsylvania FFA State Officer and then National FFA Vice President in 1950-51. He along with his father Clarence and brother Horace went into partnership farming on the original farm from the Penn family started in 1748. Brother-in-law Luther Smith later entered the business to form Mason Dixon Farms in 1961.

In 1991, he served as Adams County Commissioner for one term of four years. He was one of the founding members of the Adams County Habitat for Humanity. Richard served on many local, state and national boards. He was affiliated with Gettysburg Lions, FFA Alumni Associations, Adams County Conservation District, Adams County Land Conservancy and several dairy promotion boards.
In the local area he was well known for helping to locate water wells for numerous people. His passion was traveling all over the world, including under-developed countries, promoting agriculture and basic ways of improving food production. The country of Liberia was a special interest where he visited and supported a local school and surrounding community.

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by two sisters, Geraldine Settle of Annapolis, Md., and Dorothy Green of Millersville, Pa. Richard is survived by Doyle and his wife Jennifer of Gettysburg, Susie Jorgenson and her husband Eric of Washington, Todd of State College, Bert and his wife Cheryl of Gettysburg, Alan of Gettysburg and Joel and his wife Christina of Gettysburg. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Warren, Kaila, Lance, Aaron, Sarah, Blake, Lucas, Liana, Lora, Hannah, Tyler, Owen, Jane, Andrew, Peter, Susanna, Joanna, and one great-granddaughter Anabela.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother Horace and sister Lois Smith.

A service to celebrate the life of Richard will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York St., Gettysburg, with Rev. Andrew Geib officiating. A time to share memories with the family and an opportunity to view will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg. Pallbearers will be grandsons Warren, Lance, Aaron, Tyler, Owen, Blake and Lucas Waybright.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Lutheran World Relief at St. James Lutheran Church.
To share memories of Richard C. Waybright and view a video tribute, please visit www.petersfuneralhome.com.