Richard was 76 when he passed away peacefully at UPMC Cole Medical Center, Coudersport, PA surrounded by his loving family.
Born to Richard Marvin Kesterke, Sr. & Dorothy Hammond Kesterke, later raised by Harry N. Friends & Dorothy H. Kesterke Friends, all pre-deceased.
He leaves behind his two children, Richard M Kesterke, III (wife-Joy) of Lawrenceville, PA a daughter Lisa M Kesterke Bates (husband-Wayne) of Lebanon, PA. Grandchildren, Brandon Bates of Schuylkill Haven, PA (currently deployed), Amanda Bates, Lebanon, PA & Alyse Mitchell of Miami, FL. Siblings, Leah Friends Miller (husband – Chris) of Naples, NY, Candace Friends Foley (husband – Pat) of Millerton, PA, Terri Friends Kramer (husband – Bob) of Irmo, SC & Sherri Friends Foster (husband – Chuck) of Watsontown, PA. Several nieces & nephews & also great nieces & nephews whom he also loved dearly. Ex-wife, mother of his children & loving friend Jeannette K. Henninger Kesterke of Lawrenceville, PA. His sister, Suzanne Kesterke Peters (husband – Donnie) of Apollo Beach, FL passed away one day after Richard on May 5, 2022.
Richard was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather & friend. His love for his children & grandchildren could never be denied. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force & had a career for many years as an Air Traffic Controller at Chemung County Airport in NY. He then became a Computer-Aided Engineer & worked for both Hardinge & Hilliard Corp of NY. He was also a longtime member of the Masons which he was proud to be a part of. After retirement, he moved to Panama for a few years & returned to the states & lived in Apollo Beach, FL. He enjoyed the outdoors, the mountains, the beach, and the lakes & his lifelong hobbies included, golf, swimming, hunting, camping, dancing & socializing with friends & family. He was a jack of all trades to his family & friends, mechanic, carpenter, baseball coach, and outdoorsman & he always had a passion for guns, was an NRA member & had a gun shop in the family home. He loved planes, trains & cars, especially antiques. He was very passionate about politics & life experiences & loved to share his stories & views.
He was a very smart, witty, funny & loving man to all who knew him & we will miss him dearly.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 27th, at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A procession will be forming at 9:30 AM on Friday at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003.
