Dr. Richard Westbrook Stever Jr., D.D.S., 85, formerly of Franklinville and Spruce Creek, and affectionately known as “Doc,” passed away March 1, 2022, after a brief illness.
Doc was born Nov. 6, 1936, the youngest son of Dr. Richard Westbrook Stever Sr., and Anna Chandler McConahy of Tyrone. He was first married Nov. 28, 1957, to Mary Ellen (Rorabaugh) Jones, and then June 30, 1979, he married Barbara (Hendricks) Narehood, who preceded him in death Sept. 7, 2020.
Doc is survived by children Richard ‘Dick’ Westbrook (Kim) Stever III of Franklinville, and Amy Stever (Revel) Kemp of Tyrone; grandchildren Aaron (Carrie) Reese of Tyrone, Ian Reese of Wellington, New Zealand, Richard ‘Rich’ Westbrook Stever IV of Franklinville, and Olivia Stever of Pittsburgh; great-grandchildren Sarah (Chad) Dean and Hunter Reese of Tyrone; and a great-great-granddaughter, Sawyer Grace. And Barbara’s children, Michael (Kathy) Narehood of Tyrone, Jeff (Betty) Narehood of Tipton and Angie (Hugh) Farley of State College; grandchildren Valerie Narehood of State College, Michael (Alison) Narehood of Tyrone, Joseph (Christine) Narehood of King of Prussia, Todd (Jennifer) Narehood of Va., Sheena Narehood of Pittsburgh, Taylor (Eliot) Fraundorfer of Altoona, and Kara Goss of Indiana; great-grandchildren Ella, Hannah, Henry, Charlie, and Oliver.
He is also survived by siblings, Dr. Robert Chandler Stever of Seattle, Wash., and Sarah ‘Sally’ Brooke Price of Manheim, Pa.
Doc was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Ellen Marie Stever Delbaggio, granddaughter Elizabeth Nicole Stever, and Barbara’s son, Todd Narehood.
Doc graduated from Tyrone High School in 1954, attended Mercersburg Academy, Swarthmore College, and graduated from the Univ. of Pennsylvania Dental school in 1960. He joined the Army Dental Corps as a captain at Ireland Army Hospital, Ft. Knox, KY, and proudly served from 1961 to 1964. Doc always said his time in the military was one of the most favorite times of his life.
He returned home to Tyrone in 1964 to join his father to practice family dentistry. Doc served the Central PA community as a dentist for 44 years and referred to himself as a molar mechanic. He cared greatly for his patients and never forgot one, usually recalling the tooth number and procedure!
Doc retired in 1998 to live full-time on his childhood homestead in Franklinville along the picturesque and breath-taking Spruce Creek. He was well-versed on the habitat of the stream, and being the expert fly fisherman that he was, would describe the perfect cast as “landing the fly on the water like a butterfly with sore feet.” Doc partnered with HomeWaters Club to share his slice of heaven with trout fishermen from all over the world and privately welcomed veterans who came to heal their wounds through the tranquility of fly fishing and being on the water.
Doc was a cradle roll member of Wesley United Methodist Church, a member of Sinking Valley Country Club, a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tyrone Lodge #212 and a proud member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club.
Doc loved his family, his beloved cat Jack, and photography. He would share his photos of eagles, trout, and nature to all he met. He was a gifted jewelry maker, crafting gold shell earrings and necklaces, and he had a passion for hunting and sharing stories about arrowheads.
Doc had a unique sense of humor and wit, and would be quick to hit you with one of his ‘isms about life. He would love that we share these last words of advice – “Be True to Your Teeth, or They Will be False to You,” “Only Floss those Teeth you Wish to Keep,” “Err on the Side of Caution…look Twice, cast Once,” and “Fishermen Catch Fish, but Sportsmen Catch it All.”
And finally, “You can’t go over, under, or around a brick wall, only through it.” Doc is now through the brick wall and sharing his stories and philosophy on life with his loved ones in heaven.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Tyrone. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Contributions in memory of Doc may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL, 32256, or online at woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thedailyherald.net.
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