Obituary of Richard A. Wirth

Richard A. Wirth, 91, of Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of Drexel Hill and Westtown, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 12, 2017 at Masonic Health Care Center in Elizabethtown. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Alfred and Irene Tust Wirth. He was the husband of Joan McGlinchey Wirth. Richard was of the Lutheran faith. He was a graduate of Lehigh University and earned a Master's degree and had worked toward a PhD at Temple University. During World War II, he proudly served his country in the US Army combat infantry in the European Theater. After the war, he continued to serve in the Army Reserve and was a member of the Military Officers Association of America. He had a successful and meaningful career as a manager of fuel quality beginning with the former Atlantic Richfield Oil Company and retiring from Sunoco. Professionally, he was a member of the American Chemical Association. Richard was an active member of Brandywine-Goddard Lodge No.383, F&AM, in Coatesville for 28 years. He enjoyed playing clarinet and was a longtime member of the Lukens Steel Band. He also enjoyed playing tennis and vegetable gardening. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Larry, husband of Mary F. McBride Wirth, of West Chester, Brian Wirth of Phoenixville, and Rick Wirth of Tampa, FL; two granddaughters, Kate, wife of Teddy Folkman, of Washington, DC, and Jen Wirth of Bel Air, MD; and an uncle, Teddy, husband of Florence Wirth, of Allentown. Richard was also preceded in death by a sister, Lois Muhl. Services are private. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 or to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 689, West Chester, PA 19380. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.