Richard G. Blouch, EdD

Richard G. Blouch, EdD, educator, counselor, gardener, woodcutter, Penn Stater, and family man extraordinaire, died peacefully on July 15, 2018, at his home in North Londonderry Township, Lebanon County. Born on a dairy farm in Jonestown PA on Dec. 20, 1932, Dick was the son of the late Leroy and Sylvia (Yocum) Blouch. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 64 years, June E. (Ziegler) Blouch. Dick was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, first with a bachelor’s in agricultural education and then a master’s in counselor education. He then earned a doctorate in education from the University of Florida. His career went from ag teacher to middle school counselor to professor of counseling education and director of the counseling center at Millersville University. June supported Dick throughout his education and career; they truly were a team. Dick was a life member of the American Psychological Association and the Penn State Alumni Association. He and June were long-time Penn State football season-ticket holders. They traveled extensively, including many family trips to Maine, and made friends wherever they went. Throughout his life, Dick was an avid conservationist. He and June purchased a 25-acre portion of the Blouch farm in 1978, retired there in 1990, and eventually put the farm into a conservation trust. Dick was a board member for the Lebanon Valley Conservancy and the Swatara Watershed Association. Dick was also a volunteer at Londonderry Village and was a member of the Annville Church of the Brethren. In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by three children: Jody Blouch, wife of Ann Schwartzwalder, Lancaster; Judd Mellinger-Blouch, husband of Ellen, Hershey; and Jill Albert, wife of Dennis, of Campbelltown. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Jacob Mellinger-Blouch (wife Sophia Barrett); Leah Mellinger-Blouch; Tyler Musser (fiancé Sarah Leader); Pfc. Kyle Musser USMC (friend Brittany Rothweiler); and Maya Sony Schwartzwalder; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by siblings Joy Hood, Carolyn Fetter, June Derne’, L. Dale Blouch, and Eugene Blouch and many nieces and nephews. Dick’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Annville Church of the Brethren, 495 E. Maple Street, Annville, at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: the Londonderry Village Good Samaritan Fund, 1200 Grubb St. Palmyra, PA 17078; Lebanon County Conservancy, 770 Cumberland St. Lebanon, PA 17042; or Swatara Watershed Association, 2302 Guilford St., Lebanon, PA 17046.

Richard G. Blouch, EdD

December 20, 1932 - July 15, 2018