Richard Robert Muffett

Richard Robert Muffett rejoined his beloved mom, Frances (Fleming) Muffett and dad, Gordon Muffett, in the early morning of July 20, 2022 at the age of 66.

Richard was born in Bellmawr, NJ on March 21, 1956, and grew up in nearby Wenonah, NJ, with his five siblings. As a child he showcased his unique blend of boyish charm, an adventurous spirit, and a touch of mischief. His childhood had all the makings of great stories to be recounted by his family for years to come.  

Richard would join the Air Force in September of 1977 and serve his country for nearly 24 years, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant in 2001. His military career brought him around the world and across the U.S. with extended stops in Louisiana, Delaware, Arkansas, Guam, Maine and Mississippi. He would become a dad in 1981 on Dover Air Force Base, welcoming Christopher James Muffett into the world. His youngest son, Aaron Jay (AJ) Muffett, would be born in 1982 on Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas. His pride in serving his country would forever be hand-in-hand with the pride he felt in being Chris and AJ’s dad. Richard would serve in Desert Storm in the early 1990s, maintaining B-52s, and during his time off he would serve as a pen pal to his son’s 5th grade class, sharing photos and writing of life overseas. 

No matter the distance, Richard’s love and loyalty to family could travel it. His siblings were some of his best friends and holidays and time spent with his sisters; Linda Bakomenko, Carol Muffett Cesario, Christina Muffett Smith and Sandra Muffett Falkowski; his brother, David Muffett; and his extended siblings (brothers-in-law) Joe Bakomenko, Jeffrey Smith and James Falkowski, played host to some of the moments that mattered most to him. He treasured the role of being an uncle to Carl and Natalie Bakomenko, Anthony and Chris Cesario and Amanda Jones, and Jess Henne and Austin Smith.

It was from his children that Richard received the highest rank he could have hoped to achieve, becoming a Grampy. In 2005 and 2007, he would join Chris in welcoming Milo and Grace into the world, and with AJ and his beloved daughter-in-law, Kara, he would welcome Ayla in 2021. His love for them was beyond words.  

For Richard, family included those with fur, and we know he is happy to once again be with his cats, Gibbs and DiNozzo, and his beagle, Max.

His adventurous spirit never left him and could be found across a lifetime of passions and pursuits that included wood-working, hunting, fishing, scuba-diving, bowling, gardening, attending live concerts and rooting for #3 on NASCAR race days. He enjoyed the small moments in life, including riding in his Jeep Rubicon with an extra-large coffee in-hand from Dunkin Donuts, going to a favorite local diner to grab a meal with family, or a trip to the beach on a day off. A day spent outdoors was a day well spent for Richard, and any moment could be elevated with some accompanying classic rock, yacht rock, 90s country, or anything that allowed for some serious air guitar.

Richard’s sense of humor, his charm, his ability to draw people to him, were ever-present and served as cornerstones for his life - a life well-lived.

A Visitation for family and friends will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702 with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 am.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to an animal shelter or rescue of your choosing, the National Aphasia Association, or Alzheimer’s Association.

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