Richard Richman "Dick" Shimp

RICHARD “DICK” SHIMP, 76

DuPont Corp.

Richard “Dick” Shimp was born in Woodbury, NJ on May 14, 1932. He went to the University of Maine where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Louise Stubbs. Dick and Mary Lou were married on November 27, 1955 after his graduation with a degree in Forestry and Wildlife Conservation, and shortly after relocated to Georgia where he served in the Air Force for 2 years. Dick and Mary Lou then returned to the University of Maine where he completed a second degree, this time in Mechanical Engineering. Dick was a member of Tau Beta and Phi Kappa, and graduated with high distinction. He and Mary Lou ultimately settled in Delaware, where he enjoyed a long career with the DuPont Company, becoming known as their “Lycra Man”, and traveling all over the world through his work. Dick and Mary Lou retired to Saddlebag Lake Resort in Florida in 1994. He was a member of the Saddlebag Lake Community Church.

A very quiet man, Dick had a lifelong love for the outdoors, fishing and hunting, and was never happier than when taking his large family on extensive camping trips in the wilds of Maine or remote areas of Pennsylvania. He also loved the shore and could be found any spring weekend at the Indian River Inlet in Delaware, camping and fishing. Dick passed on a legacy of appreciation for the outdoors that continues with his children and grandchildren.

Dick also has a passion for working on cars. He particularly enjoyed working on Corvairs, and could almost always be found up to his elbows in grease in his garage. Nearly every family member benefited from his enthusiasm, and owned one of his project Corvairs at one time or another.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Lou; his five children, Paul (Kim) Shimp of Warrenton, VA, Carl (Rosalyn) Shimp of Blue Ridge, VA, Alan (Marty) Shimp of Colonial Beach, VA, Jane (Steve) Straw of Perkasie, PA and Wayne (JoEllen) Shimp of Wilmington, DE; his six grandchildren, Brandon, Bryan, Jessica and Emily Shimp and Andrew and Anna Straw; one great-grandson, Jason Shimp; and a brother, Donald (Jeannie) Shimp of Water Oaks, FL.

Services will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Another service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Saddlebag Lake Resort in Lake Wales, Florida. Contributions may be made in his memory to Good Shepherd Hospice or Saddlebag Lake Resort Community Church.