Richard D. West, age 82, passed away on June 9 th in Simpsonville, SC. He was where
he wanted to be, at home, surrounded by family that loved him deeply and that he loved
in return. God needed another Music Director in heaven and decided to call him home
to direct and sing in His Holy Music Ensemble.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elaine C. West (May). They were married on
August 17 th , 1963. He is also survived by his four children: Andrew and wife Susan,
Darren and wife Kennedy, Brenden, and Alisha and husband Jay. Richard had five
grandchildren: Jonathan and Braden West, Emmeline and Lanie Travelpiece, and
Daxton West.

He was proceeded in death by parents Howard Kenneth and Marie Harriet (Mullen)
West, and brothers John Calvin West and Charles Lee West.

Richard was a lifelong lover, performer, and teacher of music. This love began in high
school and continued throughout his whole life. He was both an instrumentalist, with his
primary instrument being the oboe, and an accomplished vocalist. He attended
Mansfield State Teachers College (now Mansfield University) in Mansfield, PA and
earned a BS degree in Music Education in 1963. He taught music first in Wattsburgh,
PA and then for the bulk of his career in the Warren County School District, splitting his
career between Beatty Junior High School, Warren High School, and Youngsville High
School. At various times, he taught Middle School band and orchestra; High School
concert band, orchestra, jazz band, pep band, and marching band; pit bands for
musicals; and Touch of Class and Pheonix Winter Guards. While living in PA, he was
an active member at Trinity Episcopal Church in Warren, PA, participating in choir as a
soloist and as their choir director. Since moving to Simpsonville, SC he attended
Disciples United Methodist Church in Greenville, SC where he still was a choir
participant.

During his career as a teacher, he was not only a teacher of music, but a teacher of the
whole student. He always encouraged his students to be the best that they could be
and encouraged them to have a lifelong love of music whether performing or just
through showing their appreciation. He gave to his students without asking anything in
return to ensure that they learned and had the best time and enjoyment possible. He
was known to teach lessons about not just music but life in general and always focused
on trying to do your best, regardless of what you chose to do. Throughout his career his
students gave him nicknames such as “Chuck,” “Pa West,” and “Dad West,” as a show
of love for their teacher.

Following his Celebration of Life at Disciples United Methodist Church in Greenville, SC
on Saturday, June 15 th , 2024 at 11am, he will be interred in East Conneaut Cemetery in
Conneaut, OH. Friends will be received at Nelson Funeral Home  & Cremation Services in Youngsville, PA
on Sunday June 23, 2024 from 1-4pm.

In leu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Disciples United
Methodist Church music fund in Greenville, SC or to Trinity Episcopal Church music
fund in Warren, PA