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Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story... |
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Contributed by: Pam Vetter |
 Richard Hershey Meily growing up in Shippensburg, PA, during the Depression. Provided by: Pam Vetter He cracked jokes and made everyone laugh while sharing bits and pieces of his life story and telling others how proud he was of his children, who are scattered around the country. He was 76. No one can predict how long we have on earth, but my father rallied. I arrived only hours before his passing. My mother and I held his hands until his last breath. Sitting with someone in death is much like sitting with someone in life, but you appreciate the fullness of the story so much more than you ever did before. In 1930, my father, Richard Hershey Meily, was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania. His mother was distantly related to Milton Hershey of Hershey Chocolate fame. There was no inclusion in the family business but there was a pride that went with the sweetness and history of the Hershey name. He never knew his father because his father died when he was only six months old. Somehow, his mother forged ahead through the time of the Depression. Instead of a crib, my father slept in the drawer of a dresser. There was no money because everyone was poor. It was a time in history when you wore shoes until they were completely worn out and you appreciated a good meal, sharing gratitude for everything you had in life. As a young boy, Richard's toys amounted to empty cans to play kick the can with neighborhood children. He worked little jobs in the neighborhood to earn five cents so he could go to the movie theatre and watch a movie. It was his way to escape and gave him a lifelong love of the moves and an appreciation of storytelling. Growing up was tough, but he picked himself up by his bootstraps many times and rose above circumstances. It drove him crazy when people used a difficult childhood as a crutch in life because anything was possible if you worked hard enough. He saw his ticket out: An education. He performed on the stage at Shippensburg High School and met a beauty queen named Ruth Reese. He fell in love, but love would have to wait. Richard voluntarily joined the United States Army and served as a Romanian Translator overseas. He discovered the world on his travels and wrote love letters home to the woman he wanted to marry. After serving his country proudly, he returned home to earn a Bachelors degree from Shippensburg State College. In 1954, he married Ruth in a little country church and exchanged the traditional vows, which they would honor until the end of their days. Together, they had five children: Diane, Dave, Betsy, Sue and Pam. Richard was a teacher all of his life. In between having children and teaching, he earned a Masters in Education and Administration at Penn State University. He also earned a Doctorate in Education at Walden University becoming Dr. Meily to his students. His longest teaching position, which he held for 23 years, was as a Professor of Elementary Education at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He was a very intelligent man who shared his knowledge with students. He made a difference in so many lives. His favorites in life were sharing in depth discussions about world politics with his oldest daughter, Diane, and his love of woodcarving and art with his daughter, Betsy. He enjoyed watching his son, Dave, play basketball with neighborhood kids such as Doug Martin. He laughed the hardest while watching The Three Stooges with his daughter, Sue. For me, his youngest daughter, he became my endless supporter and friend in life. He was the person we always called when our lives were falling apart. A piece of the puzzle is now missing for us, but as siblings, we share a sense of gratitude for everything my father gave us in life. He gave us the gift of an education and wings to fly to be independent. My father played tag with us, kickball and he helped fill water balloons during the summer months during the sweltering heat. In the winter months, he enjoyed watching us go sledding down the big hill or helped us build the biggest and best snowmen. We'd use his tobacco pipe for the snowmen. My father also gave us a lifelong love of animals. We had many pets growing up including chickens, cats, dogs, fish, and one hamster. He even rescued a rabbit from experimentation and brought it home to us to live out its years. He loved watching football on Sundays and liked eating french fries and ice cream. He especially loved going to Green Dragon on Fridays to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. After suffering a stroke eight years ago, he was paralyzed on his left side. But, he did not quit and give up on life. He enjoyed watching the birds visit his home. His favorites were the yellow finches and the red cardinals. Red was always his favorite color in life. Somehow, with the help of his wife, he continued riding his John Deere to mow his lawn on Saturdays. He drove with his right hand and pushed the gas with his right foot. For eight years, he mowed his three acre lawn beautifully, inspiring others to do the same. Three years ago, his oldest daughter, Diane, 49, died after a bout with cancer. A piece of him died that day with her passing, but life went on. His faith in God never wavered. He enjoyed doing the puzzles in the evening with his wife and he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and friends. When asked to sum up his life, he said, "I'm just an ordinary guy who enjoyed teaching students." His stroke did not define him. One day he had his whole retirement ahead of him and the next day he was paralyzed. Again, he rose above it and lived life as best he could for nearly another decade with a smile on his face and love in his heart. Even through his oxygen mask in his closing days he told everyone, either in person or on the phone, "I love you." He realized the power in those words and finally told my mother, "I'm going to have to leave you." We gave him permission to go. Dr. Richard Hershey Meily was honored at graveside with an amazing 21 gun salute and an incredible flag folding ceremony. Everyone wore red memory ribbons in his honor. His memorial service was filled with his stories delivered by his brother-in-law, Rev. Richard Reese, his son, Dave Meily, and me. We closed the service with his pictures set to music. When we discussed his funeral service prior to his passing, my father asked me to give out Hershey Bars to everyone who attended. We honored his wishes and everyone left with a smile, remembering his giving nature even in death. My brother shared his most important message of all. My father told us growing up, "There are givers and takers in the world. The givers are always happier in life." Always giving, my father was happy his entire life. To Richard Meily, my father...may you rest in peace.
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Copyright © 2005- Pam Vetter. All rights reserved. |