Richard Lee Garlitz, 85, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Arthurdale, passed away Nov. 15, 2022. He was a native West Virginian, raised in Preston County, born May 13, 1937 in Kingwood to Percy Vernon Garlitz and Vivian Adeline (Bell) Garlitz, both of whom predeceased him. Richard graduated from Masontown High School in 1955 and received his bachelor’s degree from WVU. He retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he was a director of operations (plant manager) of the Clarksburg facility at the Benedum Airport in Harrison County.
Richard was a former member of the I-79 Strategic Planning Committee in Fairmont, the board of directors of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex Inc. (MAAC), in Bridgeport, the board of advisors for the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Fairmont State University, the board of directors of the Association for Industrial Development in Harrison County and the community advisory board for The Dominion Post.
After retiring, Richard traveled with his wife, Carol, to Europe, visiting the Berlin Wall, Nefertiti bust, seeing the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and visiting Normandy Beach, Pointe du hoc, and the graveside of Gen. Patton. He also saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace in addition to Big Ben.
Left to cherish Richard’s memory include his wife, Carol (Smith) Garlitz; son, John and companion Lora Hall, of Falling Waters; son, Robert “Bob” and spouse Laurette, of Richmond, Va.; son, James “Jimmy,” of Mountain Home, Idaho; six grandchildren, Brianne Hawkins (husband David), Amber Garlitz (companion Chris Vance), John Thomas Garlitz (wife Ally Bolyard), Aspen Garlitz, Katelynn Garlitz and Connor Garlitz; great-grandchildren, Mylah Belle Hawkins, Gray David Hawkins, Daniel James Vance and Essie Dale Hawkins; siblings, Doris Hartsell (Bill) and Judith Myers; and best friend, Bill Hartsell.
A visitation was held at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Road, N. Chesterfield, Va., from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
A visitation was also held at Morgan Funeral Home in Reedsville from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Graveside funeral services followed at the Arthurdale Cemetery.
