Richard Scott "Rich" Pennypacker

Richard Scott (Rich) Pennypacker

Richard Scott “Rich” Pennypacker age 56, passed away on February 7, 2023 at his home in Claridon, Ohio surrounded by his loving family after more then a year long battle with Glioblastoma, a very rare and aggressive brain cancer.

Born in Rahway New Jersey to Lindley W and MaryAnn (Birkner) Pennypacker. Rich has fond memories of playing with neighborhood friends at the park down the street and playing youth baseball for as long as he could remember. His family moved to Brunswick, Ohio in 1976. He met and became friends with many of the kids in his new neighborhood quickly and was always outside doing something until the street lights came on. In 1978, his family moved to England for two years. He enjoyed traveling to many different countries. One of his fondest memories of this time was playing golf with his brother and dad at St Andrews famous golf course in Scotland. He was excited to return to the old neighborhood in Brunswick in 1980, where he continued his friendships, played tennis on the high school team, and won many competitions and awards.

After graduating from Brunswick High school in 1984, he went on to take classes at The University of Akron and began working for his dad at Summit System Group. It is there that he taught himself how to write code on the AS400. He went on to work for Great Lakes Cheese Co. in Newbury/Troy OH, as a programmer analyst, writing many of their fulfillment and accounting programs. In 2000 he started his final career at HKM Direct Market in Cleveland Ohio as a programmer analyst, moving up through the ranks and became VP of Information Technology. He spent 22 years working and making great friends here.

Rich’s love of baseball had him coaching for the youth program in Claridon township for many years. He was also an avid collector of all things baseball throughout his entire life. His favorite team was always the Boston Red Sox, so you can imagine his delight when they finally won the World Series! His favorite player of all time was Carl “Yaz” Yastrzemski. Rich found ultimate joy in Christmas. He looked forward to Christmas shopping with his mom the weekend before Thanksgiving and going to Red Lobster every year. He kept a notebook of gift ideas with him at all times and took great pride in finding the perfect gifts for everyone. Rich also enjoyed fishing especially with his Grandpa Birkner and his kids, playing corn hole, taking walks in the beautiful Geauga parks with his daughter, playing catch with his sons, watching his children play all their sports, traveling with his wife to different casinos especially Las Vegas, sitting by a fire in his backyard and watching the stars, as well as watching movies with his family. Rich loved to sit across the street with our neighbors, The Neely’s, sharing a drink and solving all of the world’s problems. One of his favorite trips was to Cooperstown to see the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, a lifelong dream come true. To Rich, family was everything. He loved teasing his younger sister Lori and actually prepared dialog before phone calls and visits. Rich loved summer and especially enjoyed the get-togethers at his in-laws' pavilion. Rich was quick to laugh and tell “dad jokes” and always found the good in any situation and in every person he met. His calm and caring personality drew people to him and he never turned anyone away when they needed help or to talk. He was the calm to Bonnie’s storm.

Rich is survived by his loving wife Bonnie (Ule) Pennypacker, his children who were his pride and joy, Nicholas, Kenneth, Breanna, and Ryan Pennypacker. His Mother MaryAnn (Birkner) Pennypacker, Brother Gregory (Susan) Pennypacker, Sister Lori (Pennypacker) Windisch, Brothers James and Michael Kucera. Father and Mother-in-law Andrew “Chick” and Roselee (Kapalin) Ule, Brother-in-law Douglas (Maria) Ule. Many loved and cherished Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Rich was preceded in death by his Father Lindley W Pennypacker, Stepmom Francis (Premura) Pennypacker, Maternal grandparents Albert and Mary (Estavanik) Birkner, Paternal grandparents Lindley and Helen (Corbliss) Pennypacker.

The family would like to thank everyone who called, texted, sent cards, gift cards, food, built and fixed things around the house, and came to visit him during his illness. We’d also like to thank all the medical staff who took such good care of him throughout his journey.

There will be no visitation for Rich. A Private Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

In honor of Rich’s love for sports, donations can be made to Berkshire Local School Checks written to Berkshire Athletics with “Hurdle Project - Pennypacker” in the memo line. For every $200 a hurdle will be memorialized with Rich’s name and help to equip the new track and field program.

Berkshire Local School

℅ Berkshire Athletics

14155 Claridon Troy Rd

Burton, OH 44021