Richard Erwin Lawrentz of Parkersburg, W.Va., on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, passed away in his home at the age of 57.
He was born in Wood County on April 4, 1955 to Mayford Warren Lawrentz and Lois Jeanne (Fitcher) (Lawrentz) Uppwall. Richard grew up locally attending Neale Elementary, Edison Junior High and Parkersburg South High School, where he was an avid member of the debate team. He furthered his education at Glenville State College graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in May 1978 with a Physics, General Science and Mathematics Comprehensive. He possessed a love of politics involving himself in numerous national and local campaigns believing that all citizens should vote. His dedication extended to serving as Chairman of the Parkersburg City Democratic Executive Committee and serving on the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee. Richard's other passion was bicycling and was a founding member of the Alternative Transportation Advocacy Committee. His employment history consisted of teaching at Parkersburg Catholic High School; then for Tyler County teaching gifted students in Science and Math. Richard then became a counselor at a group home in Virginia and locally at Horizons. He also worked for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
Richard was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his sister, Deborah Hepburn-McKinney; his nieces, Heather, Melissa, Andrea and Audrey Hepburn; and his nephew, Kirk Auvil.
A Memorial Service honoring his life will be held on Sunday, July 29, at the Fort Bormann Room in the Donald F. Black Building, located at 315 Market St. in Parkersburg (across from the Blennerhassett Hotel) from 5-9 p.m.
In memory of Rick, please donate to the Parkersburg Humane Society. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
"The road goes ever on and on" Tolkien "The Road goes ever on and on down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, pursuing it with eager feet, until it joins some larger way where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say" J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
