Richard E. Lemmers, 66 of Gettysburg, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at home. He was the loving husband of Catherine M. (Morris) Lemmers; together they shared 36 years of marriage.

Born Tuesday, October 23, 1951 in Cleveland Heights, OH, he was a son of the late Alfred Eugene and Eloise M. (Nuhn) Lemmers.

The following paragraphs are are a brief biography of Richard, written by his son.

Since my father passed away, fond memories of him as a father, as well as a loving husband to our mother; and also as a Park Ranger have been running through my mind. Mom and I dug out some old photos of him the other day. I've always thought my Dad was a very photogenic man. He had such a great smile, and he just looked like a very kind and gentle guy. If he looks in his pictures like he was a man with an all-around wonderful personality I can assure you he most certainly was. He was bright and intelligent; he was very witty and often quite silly, and he was a kind, warm-hearted gentleman. I loved it when I was just a boy growing up he would make us kids laugh with his perfect impersonations of cartoon characters like Goofy, Donald Duck, and the Tasmanian Devil. He could also do a flawless impression of his favorite actor, John Wayne. But of all the dimensions of his amazing personality I am especially grateful for his loving and nurturing side as a father. I also am very grateful that he and our Mom not only begot us in the flesh, but also in the Christian faith. Dad committed his life to Jesus Christ while a student at Kent State University in the 1970s. It was his faith in Christ that brought our parents together at Community Bible Church in Driggs Idaho. He passed that faith onto us, and that faith shaped who he was and who we are as a family.

Anyway, let me share a little about his career with the National Park Service. His career started way out west on the border of Wyoming and Idaho. That's where he met my mom, and it's where I was born. It's a truly breathtaking place where the majestic, snowcapped mountains of Grand Teton National Park lay; where the Snake River winds through Jackson Hole Wyoming, and where the buffalo roam freely in a valley arrayed in sage brush and beautiful wildflowers.

My dad began his career working in Yellowstone in either 1977 or 78. He was a forest ranger, and his office was inside the South District Fire cache at Moose, Wyoming. Some of his duties included fire suppression when needed, rafting the Snake River about once a week to check on visitors who were fishing or rafting, posting signs, assisting with boundary surveying, and cleaning and sharpening firefighting equipment. He also took readings each day on humidity and temperature to rate fire hazard info.

For a short time he also worked in Ft. Laramie, Wyoming as a law enforcement ranger. One time he had to issue a ticket to a person who was collecting artifacts unlawfully from the park. But most of his time as a law enforcement ranger was quiet. There really wasn't much crime going on in the peaceful town.

In 1985, my dad was transferred to work in St. Louis, Missouri. We moved to a suburb called St. Charles, where my younger sister Susan was born. My dad worked in the Jefferson National Expansion Museum under the St. Louis Arch. His job there was to interact with tourists, presenting them the history of westward expansion across America. He discussed such things as the expedition of Louis and Clark; what life was like for mountain men, frontier armies, and Native Americans; as well as the development of the Transcontinental Railroad.

In 1988, my dad was transferred again to work at the Gettysburg National Military Park. I actually remember as a kid when we moved here we first lived at the Home Sweet Home Motel on the south side of Gettysburg next to the battlefield. That Motel is long gone now.

Anyway, my dad began working as an interpretive ranger and historian at the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House from 1953 to 1961.  After his term ended, Eisenhower and his wife Mamie moved to the farm just off the Gettysburg battlefield.

Some of my dad's duties over the years have included historical research, developing and presenting talk reports for Park visitors, writing articles for newspapers and press releases, and giving special tours for VIPS. Also, the Eisenhower Farm has an annual WW2 event every September. Since its inception in 1996 my dad was in charge of planning the event every year; making schedules for staff members, and coordinating how everything in the event is to be set up. It takes a lot of work to coordinate and set up those events which are an authentic re-creation of Allied and German army camps, complete with original World War II vehicles such as jeeps, trucks and army tanks.

One of the things my dad enjoyed most about his job at the Eisenhower Farm was having many opportunities through his career to meet veterans who were war heroes. One such veteran was a man by the name of Bill Guarnere. Bill Guarnere is a well know WW2 veteran of Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne.

Anyway, my dad's career has spanned nearly 40 years, and there have been many other duties, experiences, and accomplishments that he's had besides what I've described. The time would fail me to tell in detail of all the public speeches pertaining to the Battle of Gettysburg that my dad gave to crowds on the Gettysburg square, as well as guiding tourists on walks through town every summer; and the time he made an appearance on a local television station to discuss political and military aspects of WW2 and the Cold War.

But I will say this... I've always really admired my dad for his studious nature, vast knowledge of both American and world history, and his ability to speak in public. With passion he has worked diligently to help preserve our nations beautiful Parks as well as our history; because he understood the importance of knowing history. By knowing history we can be inspired, we can have a sense of identity... knowing who we are and where we've been as a nation, and we can learn from past generations how to avoid problems in the future.

My heart swells with pride when I consider my dad's work ethic, his intellect, his passion, and his accomplishments. You may say I am a little bias since he is my father, but I think he is the coolest guy in the world, and I am mighty proud to be his son! I love you, daddy... and you will always be in the hearts of your family and friends. See you in Heaven, Papa Bear.

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by five children; Trish Williams and her husband Jason of Fayetteville, Derrick N. Lemmers of Gettysburg, William B. Lemmers of Gettysburg, Andrew P. Lemmers of Hanover, Susan M. Lemmers of Gettysburg; five grandchildren, Heather Bilski of Scranton, Bridget Williams of Hanover, Nathen Lemmers of Hanover, Brandi Lemmers of Hanover, Jay Williams of Littlestown; two great grandchildren, Caige Nolan of Scranton, Asher Lee Williams of Littlestown; one great granddaughter on the way, Ellie Nolan of Scranton; two siblings, Mary Jane Harvey and her husband Paul, Bob Lemmers; two nieces, Nancy Jane Marquez, Linda Anne Lee; three nephews, Ed, Lou, and Craig Lemmers, and a great neice, Michelle Lee.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Crystal Renee Lemmers and a sister-in-law, Edna Lemmers.

A service to celebrate the life of Richard will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 80 Apple Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325 with Pastor Robert Gray officiating. A time to share memories with the family and an opportunity to view will be on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

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