Richard T. "Dick" Kreh, Sr.

Mr. Richard Theodore "Dick" Kreh, Sr., 89, of Frederick, a longtime educator, author, community volunteer, and devoted family man, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Frederick Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was the husband of Betty Jane Stull Kreh, his devoted wife and soul mate for nearly 68 years. They were married September 9, 1950.

Born August 3, 1928 in Frederick, during the heart of the Great Depression, he was the third of four children born to the late Theodore Christian Kreh IX and Helen May Purdy Kreh Baumgardner.

He and Betty were classmates at Frederick High School, Class of 1947. At the age of 16, Dick joined Company A, 115th Infantry of the Maryland State Guard during the World War II years, and he remained a lifetime member of the 29th Division Association.

Dick came from a long line of brick and stone masons dating back several hundred years to a small village in Schaafheim, Central Germany and was a Master Mason by trade. Following graduation, he entered the masonry trades as an apprentice mason, and he worked as a journey-man master mason for over 25 years.

Dick graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master's Degree in Technical Education and was a member of The Nu Chapter Iota Lambda Sigma. In 1967, he was hired as a masonry and construction trade teacher with the Frederick County School System.

In addition to teaching, Dick began a career authoring several text books on masonry. His "Masonry Skills" series became the bestselling masonry texts in the United States and a number of foreign countries and is still in print today. Additionally, he wrote masonry articles for many other trade publications, including a number of magazines.

Dick received many accolades over the years for his contributions in teaching, writing and mentoring youth organizations. Following his retirement from FCPS, Dick continued as an author and advisor to the Frederick County Career and Technology Center on curriculum and other related matters involving the students.

Dick loved singing and music and sang with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir in Frederick for over 20 years. He was one of the founding charter members of the Frederick Catoctones Barbershop Chorus, served in most of the elected offices in the chorus, and was active with the Barbershop Society for over 50 years. He sang with "Friends R Four" a nationally registered barbershop quartet for over 14 years.

He volunteered with the Frederick Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department for nearly 20 years. He was a dedicated Wednesday volunteer and was well-respected among the staff.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Myersville, the Frederick Elks Lodge #684, and the American Legion.

Dick was a member of Columbia, #58 Masonic Lodge in Frederick and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rites Mason. He helped design the Masonic Temple of Blentlinger Road, served as the Building Committee Chairman, and had the honor of setting the corner stone when the Lodge was dedicated. Additionally, he was a Past Master twice of Lynch Lodge in Frederick, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rites member of the Frederick and Baltimore Bodies, and a 32nd Degree KCCH. He had the unique honor of raising and elevating his son, Richard T. Kreh Jr., to a Masonic Master Mason.

He was an avid fisherman and spent many enjoyable hours fishing with his brother, Lefty Kreh, in South Florida and Maryland waters. He enjoyed times spent on the Eastern Shore at the family home in Crisfield, where he loved to fish the local waters with his many town friends and catch the local scuttlebutt at Gordon's Confectionery.

Known affectionately as "Daddy Dick" to his grandchildren, he taught them many life lessons, the value of hard work and education, dedication to the community, and how to crab successfully. He lived a very rich, active and enjoyable life and treasured his family and the many friends he made along the way. He was well-respected, loved by all and will be greatly missed.

In addition to wife, he is survived by two daughters, Patricia Fritz of Middletown, and Pamela Schaffert and husband, Larry, of Myersville; one son, Richard T. Kreh, Jr., and wife, Jacqui, of Middletown; 11 grandchildren, Becky Wildberger (Randy), Steven Fritz (Cara), Jack Fritz (Becky); Lisa Schaffert, Krista Schaffert, and Matthew Schaffert; Megan Smith (Justin), Sara Seiser (Andrew), Derek Kreh (Ashley), Blair Kreh and Brandon Kreh; 10 great-grandchildren; a half-brother, Rev. Michael Baumgardner and his wife Karen of Marietta, Ga; two sisters-in-law, Jane Crouse and husband, Allen; and Gloria Godbee; a brother-in-law, Cleon Stull, Jr. and wife, Diane; as well as his nieces, nephews and many additional family members and good friends.

He was predeceased by his sister, Lois Eileen Sheffield; brothers, Bernard "Lefty" Kreh, and Theodore (Ted) Christian Kreh X; brother-in-law, Tedd Godbee; and a son-in-law, Darrel Fritz.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, with Masonic Services to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 29th from the funeral home chapel.

Interment will follow in Rocky Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the FMH Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 400 W. 7th Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.