Obituary of Richard A. Stotz Sr.

Beloved husband of the late J. Rhea, loving father of Susan (Ralph) Shives, Richard (Laura) Stotz, Jr., and Sharon (Douglas) Sexton, grandfather of Eric (Jennifer) Shives, Nathan (Liz) Shives, Jessica (Billy) Yates, Mark (Kristen) Shives, Luke (Kate) Stotz, Janae (Bill) Dold, Joshua (Emily) Sexton, Caleb Sexton, and Ben (Deanna) Sexton, and 26 great grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Grace Stotz, and his 3 brothers, Albert Jr, Robert, and Paul Stotz. Dick was born in Buffalo, and graduated from Seneca Vocational High School, where he was named to the All-High teams for the city of Buffalo in two sports, football and basketball. He worked as a fireman on the NY Central Railroad throughout high school, and up until he was drafted. Several times, he was the fireman on the old steam locomotive with his father as engineer. He served in the US Army during the Korean conflict from 1951 to 1953. He went to college after the army, and graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Education, and an MS in Administration. He played basketball during college, and was named to Buf State's Hall of Fame. Dick's first teaching jobs were at Iroquois Central, and Smallwood Drive Elementary in Amherst. He served as elementary principal in Portville, NY, and became the first principal of Union East Elementary in Cheektowaga. In 1978, he became the District Coordinator at Cheektowaga Central. He retired in 1986. Dick and Rhea met at Hedstrom Baptist Church, now in Cheektowaga, where they were lifelong members. Dick served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and in any other capacity where he saw a need. After retirement, Dick and Rhea became snowbirds to Lakeland, Florida. There, they were watchcare members of the Shepherd Road Baptist Church, and pursued many other interests such as painting, and bowling. They also used their retirement to help wherever they saw a need. Dick was the interim director of Odosagih Bible Conference for two summers, and they went to Portugal so Dick could be the administrator of the Greater Lisbon Christian Academy for a year. Richard will be buried in Lancaster Rural Cemetery in a family service. The family would like to invite friends and family to a Memorial Service on Sunday, August 7, at Hedstrom Baptist Church, 55 Losson Rd, Cheektowaga, at 3 PM. The family will be present an hour before for visitation.