Richard C. Ginn

Richard Calvin Ginn, a lifetime Wyomissing resident and Purple Heart veteran of World War II, passed away on April 2, 2013. He was 88 years old.

Born June 28, 1924 he was the son of Oliver Henry Ginn and Candis Victoria Fessler Ginn. His grandfather, Oliwa, was a full blooded Cherokee Indian and was a Scout in the Civil War.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife Helen Joan Glasser Ginn, his brother, Oliver Ginn and sister, Candis Boyer.

Richard was a lifelong resident in Wyomissing residing in his home on Dauphin Avenue for 82 years before retiring to the Highlands community. He graduated Wyomissing High School, studied at the Sorbonne while stationed in Paris and upon returning to the U.S. he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. He joined his father in business in the Enterprise Equipment Company, a restaurant design, equipment, and supply company.

Richard was known for his civic activity in the Wyomissing and Reading communities. He belonged to the Elks Club, the Lions Club and the Masons for over 50 years. He was a past Commander of the Pulaski Post VFW in Reading. He was also a founding member of the YR Club in Wyomissing.

He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1943-1945. He was assigned to the First Division 26th Infantry as a member of the Army Specialist Training Program. After the Normandy invasion, participants in the ASTP program were sent to Europe as "replacements." He was wounded by wood shrapnel from the "exploding trees" as bombs were dropped into the Hurten Forest along the German-Belgium border. He was evacuated to a field hospital and was eventually reassigned. After the war he was stationed in Paris for a year.

Richard had many varied hobbies. He was an avid stamp collector, having founded the Philatelic Society at Wyomissing High School as a freshman and he continued this hobby throughout his lifetime, becoming one of the founding members of the German Philatelic Society. He enjoyed watching sports, especially Phillies baseball games and was an avid fan of the Red Sox and the Orioles. He taught his children the beauties of the ocean having vacationed in Avalon, New Jersey for over 60 years. He was known as a superb ballroom dancer and loved singing. He especially loved the Wyomissing 4th of July parade and celebrations.

He is survived by his daughters: Barbara Ginn, wife of Tim O'Connor, North Coventry; Helen Ginn, wife of Tom Daughtery, Lexington Park, MD and Martha Ginn, wife of Herb Hoelter, Catonsville, MD. He also has two grandchildren: Matthew James O'Connor and Sarah Ginn, wife of Steve Wender. The Hoelter family: Jeffery Hoelter, Sarah Coble and Katie Hoelter as well as five great-grandchildren and many nieces and grandnieces survive him.

He will be missed by many.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wyomissing Area Education Foundation, 630 Evans Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610 or Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 South Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.