In Memory of Richard Hunter(1946 - 2018)

Richard Read Hunter was born on May 26, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Walter and Levenia Hunter.  Shortly after Rick was born, the family moved to Northern Virginia.  Rick had an older brother, Bryson, who died just weeks after he was born.

Rick’s parents were devout Christians.  Reading and studying the Bible was a daily practice in their home.  He graduated from Groveton High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in May of 1964.  He started college at Virginia Tech and then transferred to the University of Minnesota.

While at the University of Minnesota, Rick decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1967.  After basic training at the Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Hospital Corps School and Field Medical Service School.  His duty assignment and major command were as a Hospital Corpsman with the 2nd Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  He served on a flagship, traveling between North Carolina and Italy, tending to military personnel wounded in the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy on August 22, 1969.

Rick was introduced to the Unification Church by John Fitzpatrick and joined the church in July 1968.  He lived in a church center in College Park, Maryland, with Barry and Marilyn Cohen and other members. From 1970 to 1972, Rick helped on numerous tours and campaigns sponsored by the church.  He was a member of the original New Hope Singers.  Rick was the church’s first state leader of Maine and served in that role from 1972 until his marriage in 1975.

Rick was Blessed to Betsy Drapcho on February 8, 1975, in the 1800 Couples Blessing in Seoul, Korea.  After their marriage, Rick worked as a writer for Freedom Leadership Foundation under Dan Fefferman while Betsy served as a missionary in Jamaica.  After Betsy’s return, they settled into an apartment in Annandale, Virginia, where their sons David and Nathan were born.  Rick enrolled at George Mason University where he finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in April 1980.  He received his Master’s Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology in January of 1983.

Rick worked as an industrial psychologist for JWK International, then as an analyst for Psychological Services, Inc., and later as an associate research scientist for Advanced Research Resources Organization.  In May 1986, Rick joined the staff of “The World & I” magazine as its Personnel Director; he became the magazine’s Budget Director in 1993.  After leaving “The World & I,” Rick formed his own company, RichBeth Enterprises, LLC, and did freelance work for a number of companies and non-profit organizations.  In the last two years, Rick enjoyed driving for Uber and Lyft.

Rick’s family brought him the most joy, especially pampering his grandchildren, David and Annalise.  He loved attending his bi-weekly men’s group and Bible study meetings, which he faithfully attended for nearly twenty years.  Rick was an avid Washington Redskins fan.  Cooking and feeding people is how he loved to serve.  Rick read extensively with a keen interest in politics and religion.

Rick and Betsy’s second son, Nathan, passed away on June 12, 2017.

Shortly after a family Christmas gathering in New Jersey, Rick became ill with the flu.  He passed away at Baltimore Washington Medical Center around 6:30 PM on January 16, 2018.  Rick is survived by his wife Betsy, son David, daughter-in-law Mitsuru, and his grandchildren David and Annalise.

Seonghwa Ceremony

Seonghwa Ceremony
Monday, January 22, 2018 at 7:00 PM
New Hope Family Church
4801 Tesla Drive, Suite M
Bowie, MD 20715

WonJeon Burial Ceremony
Tuesday, January 23, at 10:00 AM
3401 Bladensburg Rd.
Brentwood, MD 20722

Donations in Memory of Rick Hunter
Donations to help the family with the cost of burial services can be made through their GoFundMe page at the following link: www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-rick-hunter