Obituary of Richard Allen Denker, Sr.

Richard Allen "Dick" Denker, Sr., 86 of Harmony Township, NJ passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021.

Born on December 8, 1934, he was a life-long resident of Harmony Township, son of the late Christ and Beatrice Cathers Denker.  All four of his grandparents and both of his parents resided in the Montana section of the township and owned farmland in the area that is now Merrill Creek Reservoir.

Richard attended Harmony Township Elementary School and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1952. He and his wife Ruth Ann celebrated 59 years of marriage in August. Dick was a volunteer firefighter and founding member of the Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Company. When his children were young, he volunteered his time to the Cub Scouts and coaching and umpiring Little League. He was a retiree of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ. After his retirement, Dick and his wife travelled on more than 20 cruises with friends. He also dedicated much of his retirement years to spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed attending Iron Pigs baseball games with his family and was a season ticket holder since the inaugural season. Richard was an avid fan of local high school football and attended many Bethlehem Catholic, Belvidere and Phillipsburg games. He was an active member of the Harmony Township Historical Society and could be found in the barn of the Hoff/Vannatta Farmstead during open houses giving interpretations. He enjoyed travelling and cruising the world but also loved coming home to his four dogs: Harper, Remy, Lincoln and Koda.

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by a sister Carolyn in 2016.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Ann Van Ness Denker; four children, daughter Lisa of Harmony Twp., NJ, sons, Randy and his wife Annie of Easton, PA, Rick of Northampton, PA, and Christian and his husband Tim of Easton, PA. Richard or Boppy as he was affectionately known, is survived by seven grandchildren, Desiree, Reyan, Nicole, Kera, Devon, Holly and Aaron; two great-grandsons, a sister, Doris of St.Georges, DE; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, November 1, 2021 at MacFadden Funeral Home, Belvidere, NJ. Burial will follow in the Montana Cemetery, Harmony Twp., NJ. Friends may call from 10:00 AM to the time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's memory to the Harmony Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 123, Belvidere, NJ  07823.