Richard 'Dick' Aloysius Sepkowski, 93 of Beaver, West Virginia, passed away August 7, 2024 at the Bower's Hospice House in Beckley, West Virginia. Richard was born November 11, 1930 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to the late Phillip and Loretta Sepkowski'

Richard graduated from West Scranton High School, then went on to graduate from Penn State University with BS Degree in Education. From 1954-1956 he was with the United States Army Medical Corp during the Korean War. Richard worked as a Kineseotherapist at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Beckley, West Virginia until his retirement in 1990.

Sir Knight Richard A Sepkowski has been a Brother Knight since August 1, 1965.
As a new member of a new council chartered March 9, 1965 he was asked to take the position of Financial Secretary.
Within a few years he was elected Grand Knight and faithfully served hi council introducing new activities which contributed to the steady growth of the local organization.
During his tenure as Grand Knight he spearheaded the construction of a council home located adjacent to his local parish St. Francis de Sales of Beckley, WV.
As a member of the parish since 1956 he has taken an active part in a multitude of religious and social activities i.e .reader at mass, permanent member of the parish festival committee and much more. His daughter Cathy graduated from the parish elementary school as will his grand daughter Hannah who is in the Gifted Program as a fourth grader.
His involvement at the State Council level began during his tenure as Grand Knight (1971-1972). He was elected State Secretary at the 1971 State Convention. At this time Brother Dick began to write a "Knightline" column for the State Council which appeared regularly in the Diocesan newspaper The Catholic Spirit. At that time it was the only column by the Knights of Columbus to appear in a diocesan newspaper within the Order.
Elected in 1974, State Deputy Sepkowski began a tenure which would elevate the image of the Knights of Columbus in the state of West Virginia.
He began by assisting a Brother Knight in continuing to write the Knightline column and then to develop a four page-half size insert which accompanied each issue of the Catholic Spirit.
One of his first accomplishments was to begin a Knights of Columbus State Scholarship program. The organization was incorporated under his guidance and enjoys tax exempt status. To this day the program has progressed to the point of independent existence.
During his tenure the Supreme Council selected the West Virginia jurisdiction as one of five to promote the possibility of "Free Throw Contests". The program was successful, became an Order activity and continues its popularity today.
He upgraded ceremonials during his time in office and "Degrees" became more frequent in the state. Local and state social and athletic events increased and attendance and participation at state tournaments (Bowling and Golt) grew. A State softball tournament was added.
The Knights of Columbus progressed in every phase ofColumbianism in the State of West Virginia so much so that at the Bi-Centenial, Supreme Council Convention in Boston in 1976 State Deputy Richard A Sepkowski was presented the Supreme Knights Award for increase in membership. His jurisdiction placed sixth out of sixty five jurisdictions in the Order at that time. He was first in his division with an increase of six percent .

As a Past State Deputy, Brother Sepkowski continued to be active inhis local and state councils. His first assignment was State New Council Development Director to which he promised at least two new councils every three years, and in the next ten years he delivered five new councils.
He has participated or chaired various activities for the past forty years and continues to be involved. At this time he is State Publicity Chairman and publishes the monthly State Council newsletter.

One of his recent chairmanships dealt with the Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) program which he chaired on the state and local levels. As the state chairman he received a special award from the Christmas Card and material distributor for KCIC Sir Knight Bob Canfield ofRoanoke, Virginia. The award was to the onlyjurisdiction of the Order to have one hundred percent ( 100%) participation ofall local councils in the state.
Presently Brother Sepkowski is developing a brochure which will supplement his resolution to begin a" Vocations Mentoring Program". This resolution was passed by the WV State Council at convention in the year 2000.
Conversations with Supreme Council Representatives have been fruitful and it is the intention to add this service to the Orders efforts to recruit more people to the religious life and to assist any individual in getting there.
Sir Knight Sepkowski is a charter member of the Fr. Thomas Kerrigan (General) Assembly No. 1523 in Beckley, West Virginia where he was Faithful Navigator in'70-72
He was responsible for initiating an annual "Citizenship Awards Banquet" a black tie affair he chaired for ten years. In two years a "Religious Award" was added to the program which was well attended every year.
As Faithful Navigator he promoted the addition of American Flags and flag poles in numerous public buildings and institutions i.e. schools, sports stadiums etc. For the first time he caused the American Flag and the Papal Flag to be purchased and placed on the altar of his parish church.

His Assembly began sponsoring essay contests in catholic schools and distributed American Flag Respect placards to public high schools. The placards were also distributed at The American Legion Boys Nation, Washington D.C. program.
In addition to his Knights of Columbus pilgrimage Mr. Sepkowski is living a very active extra curricular life. Some of his past and present activities include:
Local President and the first Vice Chairman of the State Easter Seal Society House of Delegates, responsible for educating the counties first Speech Therapist including starting the states largest Summer Speech and Hearing Clinic, started and directed the states only Summer Easter Seal Camp for Crippled Adults (Camp SESCA), responsible for integrating Speech and Hearing program into the Raleigh County School System and also responsible for getting a Special Education for the Exceptional Children started in the county school system.
With The American Legion served as counselor at Mountaineer Boys State (WV) at Jacksons Mills, served as Activities Director (Asst Dir) at Keystone Boys State (PA) at Penn State Univ. and finally was Editor of The American Legion Boys Nation Yearbook at Marymount University and Washington, DC.
Although there are other activities he is involved in his most recent responsibility is President/Chairman of the Board of the Raleigh County Veterans Museum (The All Wars Museum in Beckley, WV a program he has been involved in since it began ten years ago
The activities, responsibilities and involvements mentioned in this abstract biography include only a part of a life dedicated to the service of Gods will.

Richard is survived by his wife Teddie Ann Sepkowski. His daughter, Mary Catherine Heft, granddaughter Hannah and her husband, Jordan Morgan. Teddie's children; a son Mark Kevin Scarlas, his sons Mark Steven Scarlas (Emma) and Jake Thomas Scarlas; a son John Thomas Scarlas (Nicole), his children, Austin Michael Scarlas and Logan Thomas Scarlas. Two great grandsons, Landon and Camdon Scarlas.

A Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Mr. Harry Evans at 4:00 pm, Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, West Virginia. Friends may call starting at 2:00 pm.