Dr. Richard Stark Little Sr., 89, passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2019, with his daughter, Doanda, by his side.
He was born on Aug. 24, 1930, in Wheeling, to Dr. Harold Greenleaf and Dorothy Stark Smyth.
He graduated from Tridelphia High School in 1948 and Dartmouth in 1952. After he proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Rowe, DD564 as well as in the Naval Reserve, he went on to have a very successful career teaching geography at West Virginia University. He served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years. He was active in the community and involved with numerous volunteer endeavors.
A distinguished professor, revered colleague and friend, Richard’s warmth and intelligence drew admiration from the many people he interacted with over the years. He was passionate about protecting the environment and loved being outdoors, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking with his dogs. He was instrumental in stopping strip mining in White Day Creek area with AGIS. He especially enjoyed these activities with his family. A voracious reader, Richard loved history and was a tremendous communicator and correspondent, keeping in touch with friends and family.
In addition to his dear parents, he was predeceased by his older brother, Charles Greenleaf Little, his first wife and mother of his children, Jacqueline Putnam Little, and his second wife, Margaret Jane Little.
He is survived by his three children, Richard Stark Little Jr., of Durham, N.C., Katherine Putnam Little, of Redmond, Wash., and Doanda Wheeler Little, of Morgantown; his grandchildren, Richard III, Jonathon, Jacqueline, Thomas, Jennifer, Emily, Michaela and Sierra. He was a devoted uncle to his brother’s children, whom he frequently called and visited.
Richard was truly a kind and generous spirit and was loved by all who knew him. He believed that “everyone should learn how to read a map,” and encouraged us all to have a lifelong thirst for knowledge and education.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mon Health for their care and devotion to Richard at the end of his life.
Richard donated his body to the Human Gift Registry and in doing so, continued to teach students in death as he did in life.
A memorial and celebration of his life will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Goshen Road Baptist Church in Morgantown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made your local SPCA, to The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund or as Richard would have said, “Make a donation to your favorite charity.”
