Richard Wayne Van Fossen, Sykesville Air Force Veteran

Richard Wayne Van Fossen, a Sykesville resident who spent his formative years at Strawbridge Boys' Home and built a 31-year career at AT&T, died Tuesday, May 5. He was 87.

Van Fossen lived at Strawbridge Boys' Home in Sykesville from 1951 to 1957, where he formed lifelong friendships with fellow residents. He graduated from Sykesville High School in 1957 and met his wife, Kathleen Richeson Van Fossen, there. The couple remained married for 61 years until her death.

After high school, Van Fossen served in the Air Force until 1963. While stationed in Taiwan, he joined a local flying club and learned to pilot a Stearman biplane. He later co-owned a Cessna Skyhawk and volunteered weekly at Clearview Airport.

Van Fossen worked as a communications technician at AT&T for 31 years, then held positions with Tyco International and Doughnut Corp. of America.

Born Sept. 6, 1938, in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of Ethel L. Antrobus Van Fossen and Mason P. Van Fossen, both deceased.

Van Fossen is survived by his son Bryan Van Fossen and wife Karen; daughter Melissa Price; grandchildren Matthew Van Fossen and wife Samantha, Mallory Van Fossen and husband Jason Wiggs, Katie Smith and partner Mitchell Forster, and Sean Price; five great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Richard Howes; and several nieces and nephews.

Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, will receive friends Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon. A funeral service follows at noon. Interment takes place at Springfield Cemetery in Sykesville.

The family requests memorial donations to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 7538 Main Street, Sykesville, MD 21784.