Hirsch, Richard H. - 1946

Round About Our Town

County Commissioner Milton S. Emigh was in town Thursday to attend the funeral of Richard Hirsch.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 24-Jan-1946, Page 1, Column 1

Round About Our Town

Rev. Eugene Slep, former pastor of the Logan Valley Presbyterian church was in town to help officiate the last rites for Richard Hirsch.  Rev. and Mrs. Slep, who accompanied him here, are now residents of Greensburg.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 24-Jan-1946, Page 1, Column 1

FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR RICHARD H. HIRSCH

Richard H. Hirsch, one of Bellwood’s most outstanding citizens, died of a heart condition on Monday, January 21, at his home on South First Street.  he had been in failing health for the past several months and only recently returned from a check-up in an Altoona hospital.

The deceased was a son of Edward and Margaret (Henry) Hirsch, was born at Siglerville, Mifflin county, on February 28, 1884.  When a mere youth he came to Bellwood and was engaged by the late G. A. Jamison as clerk in a grocery store on Main street.  Later the grocery store was sold and the owner established a furniture store which later merged into the Bellwood Furniture company, where Richard found employment.  He was with the company for many years and upon the death of G. A. Jamison, was made manager of the firm, and through his energy and ability as a salesman the company soon attained a prominent place in the business affairs of the boruogh <sic>.

Mr. Hirsch was a thorough and capable business man and paid close attention to the affairs of the company which he represented.  He was foremost in the civic affairs of the community and gave liberally of his time and attention for the good of the town.

He will be missed in the town, and especially in the store of the Bellwood Furniture company.  He was of a cheerful disposition and his sunlit countenance made sunshine in shady places.  His friends were many, not alone in the community, but elsewhere, and they will sorrow with the bereaved ones.

His going is an irreparable loss to the town.

He was united in marriage with Ethel Strunk, who survives with two daughters, Mrs. D. M. Sunderland, of 2611 Quail avenue, Altoona, and Norma Jean Hirsch, at home; one son, Thomas A. Hirsch, of 412 S. Second street, Bellwood, who recently returned from army service; one grandson, Richard Hirsch, and on foster son, Jack Kustaborder, at home.  Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. R. R. Woomer, of 1805 Adams ave., Tyrone, and Mrs. George Powley, of Vail.

Mr. Hirsch was educated in the public schools of Milroy, and since becoming a citizen of the borough, was a member of the First Methodist church and the Lions Club.  He served on the borough council from 1925 to 1934 and was president of that organization from 1928 to 1932, and gave the borough a progressive administration.

Largely attended funeral services were held in the First Methodist church Thursday afternoon, in charge of the pastor, Rev. H. T. Covert, who paid a touching tribute to the memory of the departed.  The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Interment was made in the Logan Valley cemetery.

Green be the turf above thee,
    Friend of our better days,
None knew thee but to love thee,
    None named thee but to praise.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 24-Jan-1946, Page 1, Columns 5 & 6

NOTICE

The meeting of the Lion’s Club planned for Thursday, January 24, has been postponed until next Thursday, January 31, in order that the members may be present at the funeral services of a deceased member, Richard H. Hirsch.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 24-Jan-1946, Page 1, Column 6


Third Ward Alderman
In the midst of life we are in death.  And the places that know us now will soon know us no more.  And it seems very so.  Once again the Grim Reaper has rode in our midst, and took with him the soul of our friend and long time acquaintance, Richard H. Hirsch, to the “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”.

Long years ago I met him, our meeting ripened into an acquaintance closely followed with a blossom into friendship, which had kept so along the many years, and further brightened as the years came and went.

“Dick” as we all knew him, was to me, a real friend, and I have at times wondered as to its coming about.  Well there was one thing, on his part – the manly feeling of his big heart, that couldn’t be kept hid, and when we met, that gentlemanly smile that seemed to fasten on him, just would not let go, and it made me feel better by having met him and by being in his company.  Dick’s legion of friends wil <sic> sit and ponder, wondering why, but some time we’ll understand.

Out little community has suffered a loss long to be felt.  His uprightness of heart, rectitude of conduct, super business manner and his acts and manners of a man among men, will long be thought of by some of us who are left to mix and mingle, in the social and business places where he once trod.

By the hut of the peasant, where poverty weeps,
    And nigh to the towers of the king,
Close, close to the cradle where infancy sleeps,
    And joy loves to linger and sing,
Lies a garden of light, full of Heaven’s perfume,
    Where never a tear-drop is shed
And the rose and the lily are ever in bloom—
    ‘Tis the land of the beautiful deead. <sic>
Not a charm that we know ere the bound’ry <sic> was crossed,
    And we stood in the valley alone;
Not a trait that we praised in our dear one is lost—
    They have fairer and lovelier grown
As the lilies burst forth when the shadows of night
    Into bondage at daybreak are led,
So they bask in the glow by the pillar of light
    In the land of the beautiful dead.
--Longfellow
“They’re passing away, those dear old friends,
    Like a leaf on the current cast,
With never a break in the rapid flow,
We watch then as, one by one,
They go into the beautiful past.”

To his loved ones, our little community says “deepest sympathy”.
--The Alderman
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 24-Jan-1946, Page 2, Column 2

Round About Our Town

At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Bellwood Furniture company, held in the office Friday evening, Mr. Thomas A. Hirsch was elected manager of the affairs of the company, succeeding his {late?-paper smeared} Richard H. Hirsch, [smudged paper] and James Mathers treasurer and secretary.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 31-Jan-1946, Page 1, Column 1


HIS WORK IS FINISHED
Composed and written in memory of Richard H. Hirsch.
by F. H. Kustaborder, Jr.

A nicer man you could not find
Who always was so good and kind,
His helping hand he loved to lend
To all and be a loyal friend.

His work was cherished by young and old.
Wherever his duty could unfold.
He labored long and labored hard
And for that deserves high regard.

The company he so ably manned
To serve the public he always planned
He did his duty and did it well,
As only mortal tongue can tell.

The town he loved to call his own
Was where he loved to have his home.
But now he has gone to a lovelier place
And no more will we see his smiling face.

For God called him to His home on high
Never more to roam.
That’s His promise in His Holy Word
Of a more and beautiful home.

And now if we begin each day with God
And kneel at night with Him in prayer
And do according to His word.
We will meet with Him up there.
~ Bellwood Bulletin, 31-Jan-1946, Page 2, Column 1

 You can visit the memorial page for Richard H. Hirsch.