Dr. Richard K. “Dick” Myers of Butler, Pa passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
He was born in Quakertown, Pa., on April 8, 1931, the youngest of three sons born to Josephine (Rosenberger) Myers and Clarence Berringer Myers. He graduated from Quakertown Junior-Senior High School in 1949, then completed both Bachelor of Science and Master of Sciences degrees at Penn State University, and Doctor of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. He was initially employed as Psychologist I at the Pennsylvania Industrial School for Boys, located in Camp Hill. He then accepted a position with the Beaver County Public Schools, first as school psychologist/supervisor of special classes, then as supervisor of special education. While in Beaver, he was appointed as the first chairman of the Beaver County Mental Health - Mental Retardation Board. Dick next accepted a position at Slippery Rock University as professor of special education, the position he held until he retired in 1990. He also taught at the University of Hawaii. He continued to work part-time at George Junior Republic as educational psychologist consultant while maintaining a small private psychological practice. He retired completely in 2009.
Dick had been involved in professional state and national organizations, and local community groups, including the State Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Developmental Disabilities Council. He served as a special education hearing officer for the Bureau of Special Education for a number of years. He also had been a member of the American Association on Mental Retardation and Council for Exceptional Children. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, having served as president of the school division. Locally, he was associated with both PARC and MHA. He was a member of the Eureka Masonic Lodge and Syria Shriners. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Lawrence and David.
Phyllis A. (Shannon) Myers, of Butler, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 27, 2024. She was born in Carlisle, Pa., on August 31, 1929, the daughter of the late Roy R. and Mary E. Shannon. Phyllis and Richard married on August 4, 1960. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, who passed away Dec. 19, 2023; two brothers and a sister.
For 63 years, Phyllis and Richard enjoyed their life together, especially cruise ship vacationing, reading, moviegoing, exploring new restaurants, antiquing and playing bridge with friends.
A memorial service will take place at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Butler, Pa, on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 9:00 am.
Those wishing to contribute to a memorial fund may do so by sending a contribution to the Richard and Phyllis Myers Special Education Scholarship fund, Slippery Rock University Foundation, 104 Maltby Ave., Suite 202, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; or also to the Gettysburg Foundation at Gettysburg, P.O. Box 4629, Gettysburg, PA 17325-9908; or to a charity of their choice.
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