Stephen Wallace Richter

Stephen Richter

of Susquehanna, PA.

Stephen “Steve” Richter, the unofficial Mayor of Grand Street, Susquehanna has cast his last trout fly. He traveled back to his favorite fishing retreat, the East Branch of the Delaware on Thursday, July, 25th, 2024 peacefully at home surrounded by family and loved ones.

Steve was predeceased by his parents, Wallace and Beverly Richter; beloved son, Joshua, who passed in 2021; sister-in-law, Nancie Jane Madaio.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patti; daughter, Amanda Richter Schaff; brother, Jeffrey (Cindy) Richter, of Oak Ridge, NC; sisters-in-law, Susan (John) Thayer, of New York, Cyndee Wilson, of South Carolina, Bette Ann (Bob) Gilliam, of Virginia; brother-in-law, Ronnie (Tracy McKenna) Wilson, of Maine; his precious grandchildren, Julian Puscarich, of Wolburn, MA, Ada Graham, Evie Schaff, Nora Rose Parmalee, all of Susquehanna; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Steve was born November 12, 1951 in Rhinebeck, NY. He graduated FD Roosevelt High School in 1969 and attended Dutchess Community College. He worked for Tom Williams Transmission for approximately 20 years, where he became an expert in car repair, specializing in transmissions. He opened his own garage, Steve’s Transmission’s in 1989 and was immediately recognized as the place to go for repair. Steve was a member and past Commodore of Pirate Canoe Club, Poughkeepsie, NY and one of the last members of the “Party Crew.” He belonged to the Elk’s Club, Poughkeepsie and numerous gun clubs in the Hudson Valley area.

Steve loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. When they first met, instead of flowers or chocolates, Patti would receive pheasant feathers or duck feet as gifts of endearment, which lead to many fun moments in life later on. When Steve sold the garage and retired, he spent many treasured days fly fishing, fly tying or making bamboo fly rods. He would eagerly read books and magazines to learn new fishing sites or fly tying ideas to hone his skills and he acquired an impressive supply of flies and fly fishing implements.

Steve and Patti moved to Susquehanna in 2010 and were warmly welcomed by their Grand Street neighbors. Steve was the neighborhood “watch” when friends were away and first in line when there was a lawn to mow, a driveway to plow, or garden vegetables to share.

Although Steve will be immeasurably missed by his family, neighbors, fishing community and close friends, memory of his passion and place will live forever on.

At Steve’s request there will be no services and a burial of Steve’s and Josh’s ashes will take place in the spring of 2025.

In lieu of donations, please consider sharing Steve’s heart by doing a kindness to another.

The family extends their sincerest thanks to all who expressed sympathy in so many ways, the Revolutionary Home Hospice staff for their care and attention and Doctor Francis Schell, Barnes-Kasson Hospital, for going to extreme in helping with Steve’s final fly cast.