Richard E. “Dick” Kramer, Jr., 87

September 27, 2023

Richard E. (Dick) Kramer, Jr. age 87, passed away unexpectedly on September 27, 2023 at his home. He and his wife, Carol (Jenkins) Kramer, celebrated 63 ½ years of marriage until she passed away in February 2022. They resided at Willow Valley Communities Manor North in Lancaster, PA since November 1995.

Dick was born in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Richard E. Kramer and Edna G. (Green) Kramer Clow. He graduated from North Braddock Scott High School in western Pennsylvania in 1953, where he was the Student Council President, captain of the basketball and baseball teams, and was named Outstanding Athlete by the Dapper Dan Club of Braddock in 1953. He graduated with distinction from Juniata College in 1957 with a B.S. Degree in Economics and Business Administration and received the Stanford Mickle Award for contributing the most to college athletics during his four years there. Following graduation, he joined the General Electric Company on the Business Training Course (later changed to Financial Management Program) and spent a 38 ½ year career in finance and accounting and financial management, corporate public relations, university relations and college recruiting and training and development of entry-level and mid-career financial personnel. He developed the Finance Leadership Development Program (FLDP) for Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin following their acquisition of GE’s Aerospace Business in 1992.

Dick served in the U.S. Army from April 1959 to April 1961. He served as Alumni Trustee of Juniata College’s Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1984, was the first employer President of the Middle Atlantic Placement Association (now Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers) in 1982-1983, and was one of the employer representatives on the College Placement Council’s Board of Governors from 1985 to 1988.

He retired from the Lockheed Martin Corporation in December 1995 (36 years with GE, 2 ½ years with Lockheed Martin) and was awarded an honorary membership in the Mid-Atlantic Association of Colleges and Employers in 1996.

He and his wife moved to Lancaster, PA in 1995, following which he volunteered with the Lancaster County Office of Aging, Hospice of Lancaster County, and Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired beginning in 1998.

He was the President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster South during the 2000-2001 Rotary year followed by years on its Board of Directors as Director Emeritus.

Dick was elected Board of Directors of Willow Valley Communities in October 2000, where he chaired the Facilities and Service Committee, served on the Marketing Committee, and was the Board’s Assistant Secretary/Treasurer until his retirement from the Board in April 2011.

During his life, he maintained an intense interest in sports of all kinds, (especially his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers) both as a participant and spectator and was an umpire for five teams in the Lancaster County over 50 and over 60 modified softball leagues for 11 years.

He was active in every church he joined, including Board Chairman, Deacon Vice-Chairman, Search Committee Chairman, Interpretation and Stewardship Chairman, Church Auditor, and Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a current member of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren. He served on the Board of the Brethren Disaster Relief Auction and chaired the Endowment Fund Committee from 2013 through 2015.

He is survived by two daughters, Laurie (Stephen) Wallace of Orlando, FL, and Leslie (Mark) Rickerson of Gulfport, FL, two granddaughters, Elizabeth (Tony) Marro, and Alison Wallace. For over 34 years since 1988, he and Carol were also surrogate parents to two nieces, Jessica (Andrew) Brennecke, and Angela (Erik) Olsen and surrogate grandparents to their combined seven children. (Jackson, Lauren, Christopher, Megann, Madison, Kennedy, and Harrison). He was predeceased by a brother, David P. Kramer, of Oakland, CA.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11am with a viewing time one hour prior. Pastor Misty Wintsch officiating.

Private interment will take place at the convenience of the family. Please omit flowers. Memorial gifts may be made to the Willow Valley Team Member Education Fund, c/o Lakes Bookkeeper, 300 Willow Valley Lakes Dr., Willow Street, PA 17584 OR The Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601.