Dr. Richard U. Delp M.D.'s Obituary
Richard U. Delp, M.D. Family Doctor, devoted husband, father, and grandfather
Dr. Richard U. Delp, M.D (“Dick”) passed away peacefully on October 25th, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Dr. Delp was born on a farm in Lititz, Pennsylvania in 1937. The son of Robert Huber Delp and Laura May Delp (née Wike), he spent his childhood on the tobacco farm and his adolescence working at a peach orchard and in a shoe factory. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1959, receiving Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors, and from Jefferson Medical College in 1963, with membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
Dick married Mary Margaret Reardon on June 15, 1963, the day after his graduation from medical school. In 1966, after serving as a US Army physician at Fort Meade and Indiantown Gap during the Vietnam War, Dr. Delp opened his family medical practice in Bloomsburg, PA. He served as Chief of Staff of the Bloomsburg Hospital and President of the Columbia County PA Medical Society. He practiced for over 30 years until his retirement in 1997. Dr. Delp spoke with great fondness of his patients and friends and of his gratitude and admiration for the doctors, nurses, and medical staff in Bloomsburg.
Dick and Mary raised their four children in the beautiful countryside in Orangeville, PA. They spent countless vacations in Lewes, Delaware at Mary’s family beach cottage. In 2000, they sold their farm in Orangeville to retire in Lewes. After 58 years of marriage, Dick said of Mary that she was his right arm and his reason for being. He was a devoted and proud father and grandfather.
A lifelong craftsman, Dick built Mission-style furniture from trees grown on his Pennsylvania farm. He enjoyed fishing, sailing, and playing the violin. One of the highlights of his life was spending time in Oregon and visiting Crater Lake with his brother, Jim.
In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Robert W. Delp. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his brother, James R. Delp and wife Dory; his four children: Timothy Delp, John Delp and wife Michelle, Margaret Delp and husband Evan Callahan, and Christopher Delp; and his eight grandchildren: Stephanie Nay and husband Scott, Maggie Delp, Adam Delp, Jack Delp, Lucy Delp, Fiona Callahan, Grace Callahan, and Emma Callahan.
No formal memorial services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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