Richard Darwin Stell (M/Sgt.Ret)

Richard took his final flight into God's heaven on Friday, May 1, 2020.

He was born in 1936 in Salem, New Jersey to parents John and Margaret Crist.  He attended Salem High School and was in the United States Air Force for 8 years.  During that time, he was stationed in Montana, Las Vegas, California, Germany and Morocco. In 1964, he joined the Delaware Air National Guard and served as a loadmaster on both the C-97 and the C-130 aircraft for 25 years. He was very proud that he had traveled to 55 foreign countries and all 50 states.  He also worked at the DuPont Chambers Works for 35 years. He graduated from Del Tech Community College with an Associate Degree in business.

Richard was involved in many organizations.  He was the first Eagle Scout in 13 years in his Salem, NJ troop and was a Life-time Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. He served as a Scout Master for two Boy Scout troops, one in Morocco and one in Wilmington. He was a member of First and Central Presbyterian Church, serving as an usher for over 20 years and did many chores needed around the church. He volunteered with Friendship House's Saturday Hospitality for many years and was Santa Claus for the Newark McDonalds for over 25 years.  He worked in the Treasurer's office at the Fair Hill Scottish Games for many years and was active with the Newark GOP as a district chairman. His prize possession was his 1990 Red Mazda Miata and was the Delaware Representative and Vice President of the Delaware Valley Miata Club.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers William Stell, Robert Hewitt and Allen Hewitt, in-laws George and Martha Smith and sister and brother in-law Fred and Alda Monsen.

He was married to Leanne Smith Stell for 56 years. In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by daughters Laurie Lorah (Mark) of Newark, DE and Lisanne Kyle (Jody) of Norwalk, CT, granddaughter and light of his life Annabelle Grace Kyle, brother Dr. John P. Crist (Jean) of Portsmouth NH, sister Donna Robinson of Salem, NJ and several nieces and nephews.

Richard and Leanne were American Field Service parents to three exchange students, Chie Sato Ueki of Japan, Zsuzsika Smit Janssen of The Netherlands and Ernesto Vega of Chile who is now living in the USA. All of the students have children and Richard considered all eight his grandchildren.

A celebration of life and interment will be held at a later date.  No flowers please.

Contributions can be made to First & Central Presbyterian Church, 1100 Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19901 or Friendship House, 1503 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806.

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