Richard Thomas Stephens passed away at home in his apartment at Harmony at Falls Run, at the age of 82 on Friday, May 20th. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Stephens. Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Stephens, his son Nicholas Stephens and wife Jennifer, and his daughter, Jessica (Stephens) Grier and husband Kristopher, and his three grandchildren, Zephyr Stephens, Loralai Grier, and Dylan Grier.
Richard was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He went to work for the US Information Agency in Washington, DC right after graduating from high school. His early years were in the mailroom, but he went to George Washington University at night and then went on to build a life in the civil service. He changed over to Foreign Service about the time he met his wife in 1974 and they went off to Tokyo which was his first overseas assignment in 1976. Dick Stephens served as Executor Officer for USIA in US Embassies in Japan, Thailand, India, and Italy. In between some assignments he worked for USIA in Washington DC. He retired in 1994 but was called back to work a year later to help with the merger of USIA and State Department. He continued to go on training assignments overseas and finally retired for the last time in 2012.

He was active in his church, Tabernacle Methodist where he actively led several successful yard sales to raise funds for church projects, served as President of the United Methodist Men for at least ten years, served as Chairman of Council on Ministries for a number of years, served as a cashier at UMM Chicken BBQs and Thanksgiving Auctions, served as a worship lay reader on multiple occasions, and was up until recently an honorary member of Church Council and a Trustee. He was also active in the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club where he worked closely with institutions testing sight and hearing in children. He was proud of all three of his children and enjoyed traveling with them when he had the chance. After the last of his children were in college, he enjoyed lots of domestic and international travel with his wife. He loved the Fredericksburg area and was active in the founding of the First Night events and for a long time afterwards. Although he has had many accomplishments in his career, his greatest joy was being a father and grandfather.

Relatives and friends are invited to Richard's Funeral Service at Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553 on Thursday, June 2nd at 10AM.

Internment will take place at Culpeper National Cemetery at 1 PM. Please use this address for Culpeper National Cemetery, 501 East Chandler Street, Culpeper, VA. Enter the grounds and park by the restrooms brick building.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club. Checks would be made out to the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club and mailed to 4520 Gerber Drive, Fredericksburg, VA. 22408