Richard R. Filling, 85

June 12, 2017

Dick Filling loved a good joke and discussing politics almost as much as he loved his family, friends, and community. Born in Millersville, Richard R. “Dick” Filling, 85, was the son of the late Frank F. and Kathryne (Taylor) Filling. He passed away at the Masonic Care Center on June 12th after a brief illness.
The husband of Barbara (Sager) Filling with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage in January, Dick was a fixture at Masonic long before his illness took him there, faithfully visiting with Barbara every day since she became a resident in 2012.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children; Vicki, (Ken) Kuipers of Mountville, Ann Marie Koch, companion of Dr. Walter Engle of Denver, Kristine Dittmar of Hummlestown, and Melissa (Wil) Younger of Lancaster, his grandchildren Cassandra, Edward, Cooper, and Jackson, and his great-grandchildren Brock and Kendra. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Klemmer and Kay Straley, and brother James Filling. He was preceded in death by his siblings Frank, Betty, Jay William, and Albert.
Dick attended Franklin Marshall College until enlisting in the US Army during the Korean War. After serving his country he joined the family business, Fillings Inc., working with his brothers to run the dry cleaning plant, men’s wear shop, and uniform rental division. His work in the dry cleaning industry would eventually move him to Kansas to become President of J.W. Enterprises.
It was Dick’s love of politics and community service however that played the most rewarding role in his life. He was a member and served as president of the Millersville Jaycees, and Wheatland Sertoma Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Boys Club for 18 years.
His political career began in Lancaster as a Committee Man, and City Republican Chairman. He was later elected to the Lancaster City Council in 1966-1972, serving as President until 1969. In 1977, he moved on to state politics becoming the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Dick was elected to be a delegate to the 1980 Republican Convention, and served as a member of the Electoral College that same year. He would go on to work for the PA House of Representatives, Republican Member Services, the PA Department of Community Affairs as the Legislative Liaison, and be appointed as the PA Commissioner of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, retiring in 2003.
Over the years Dick chaired many political campaigns on the local, state and national level, was honored with many awards, and never missed voting in an election. He was always there to lend a hand, start a conversation with anyone, and make people laugh. Just ask his ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) buddies with whom he did just that every Tuesday over lunch.
A visitation with the family will take place on Wednesday July 12 from 6-8pm, with a memorial service on Thursday July 13 at 11am. Both will be held at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Masonic Home and Masonic Hospice, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.