Richard Leopold "Dick" Walkup, Sr., age 78, of Elverson, formerly of Narvon and Chadds Ford died on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 at the Coatsville VA Center following a long and brave struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Upper Darby, he was the husband of Linda (Horning) Walkup, and the son of the late Leopold Cushing and Lillian (Hartmaier) Walkup. He graduated from Springfield Delaware County High School and attended Temple University and Penn State. He was a football player at Springfield and an outstanding athlete for the school where he was inducted into the Springfield Delaware County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and served on the Hall of Fame committee thereafter. He competed in javelin throwing contests well into his 50's and was a body builder into his 70's. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Walkup was a Quality Control Auditor for DuPont and General Electric, ending his career at Boeing, which he retired from in 1993. He was also a builder at one point, building houses in the Chadds Ford area including building two houses for himself and renovating a third (1700's farmhouse) in Lancaster County. Mr. Walkup was a Mason and member of Springfield Hanby Lodge #767, Delaware Consistory (Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons) and Nur Temple of Delaware. In addition, he was a member of the Harris Ferry Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and enjoyed researching his family tree. He loved refurbishing classic cars, and at one time owned 3 antique cars and a truck that he had lovingly restored. He was also an artist and painted numerous paintings for family and friends. Mr. Walkup was an avid hunter, enjoyed singing Barbershop, and loved traveling with his wife.

Mr. Walkup was a member of Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church, East Earl where he had served as a Deacon and also sang in the choir. After moving to Elverson in 2004, he attended The Community Evangelical Free Church in Elverson.

In addition to his wife of 24 years, Mr. Walkup is survived by three children: Lisa Maness of Naples, FL; Leslee Reeder and husband Nathaniel, of Nantucket, MA, and Richard L. Walkup, Jr. and wife Jean Gilbert of West Chester, and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Marian Hays Swayze, of Afton, Wilmington, DE and Lillian (Dale) Smith Read of Rhode Island.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington Street, Royersford, PA. Calling time is from 10-11 AM. Burial will be in Limerick Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., Del. Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Phila., Pa 19106-2117. Online condolences may be offered at www.royersfordfuneralhome.com