Richard George Papen

      Richard George Papen, 84, passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2022.  He was born on June 5, 1937, the oldest son of George and Mary Papen.  He was born in Somerville, NJ, but lived most of his life in Delaware, graduating from Caesar Rodney High School before joining the family farming business, Papen Farms, Inc. 

      Richard was an outstanding athlete and one of the last to earn 4 varsity letters in a year at Caesar Rodney High School.  He went on to become a pillar of the farming community at large. He was President of the Council of Farm Organizations and a Director of the Delaware State Farm Bureau, a member of the Vegetable Growers Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Governor’s Council on Agriculture, the FFA, and numerous other agricultural related organizations.  He was respected and admired by people in the produce business throughout the Eastern United States.  Many considered him to be a mentor, an adviser, and a friend.   He was loved by everyone who knew him and he will be missed forever by his family and the entire farming community. 

      Richard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, June Voshell Papen; his daughters, Carol Traegler (Jim), Kathy Papen Lane (Gary); his grandchildren, Abby Traegler, Rev. Nick Traegler, Tiffany Lancaster (Tim), Stefanie Lancaster (Robby), Ashley Papen, Zackary Papen, Joshua Papen, Cole Papen, Renee Cumens, Erik Melvin, and Brianna Williams; his great-grandchildren, Joslyn Papen, Jaylee Papen, Jaci Papen, Trent Lancaster, Rhett Lancaster, Elly Lancaster; his sisters, Mary Walton (Jack), Evelyn Cuthrell (Bob), Janet Meyer (Dwight); his brother, James Papen (Colleen); and numerous nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Papen; his sons, Kenneth Papen and Gregory Papen; his sister, Marjorie Papen Voshell; and his brother-in-law, Harry Voshell.  

      Viewing will be Sunday evening, April 24, 2022, from 6 to 9 pm at Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming, DE.  Funeral service will take place on Monday, April 25, 2022 at Wyoming United Methodist Church at 12:00 pm, with an hour visitation preceding.  Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden, DE, following a time of celebration in the Family Life Center of the Church.

       In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Three Stones Church, 1506 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901 or Wyoming United Methodist Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Rd., Dover, DE 19904.

       Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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