Richard Kennedy Degenhardt, 75, of Hendersonville
died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000, in Elizabeth House after
a long, brave battle with cancer.
He was born in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late
Louis and Nellie Kennedy Degenhardt. He was a 1943
Graduate of Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill.
and immediately entered the Army Air
Corps. He became a bombardier in the
B-24 and was honorably discharged after
World War II as a second lieutenant.
He received a Bachelor of Science
degree in commerce from St. Louis
University.
His 30-year career in chamber of commerce management
included 17 years at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce
in the 1950s and '60s as executive director. During
this time he served as President of the N.C. Travel
Council, the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, the N.C.
Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the
Southern Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
After his tenure in Asheville, he accepted a position as
executive director of the chamber of commerce of Greater
Kansas City, Mo. While there, he served a term as
President of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Executive
Association.
He was active in the Saddle and Sirloin Club and
rode his Appaloosa each year in the American Royal
Patrol.
After retiring from chamber of commerce management,
he accepted a position as executive director of Belleek
Ireland, Inc., U.S. division of Belleek Ireland, Ltd.
He wrote two books, Belleek The Complete Collectors
Guide and Illustrated Reference, first and second
editions. The company honored him with a limited
edition hand-woven basket named in his honor.
He loved nature and had many hobbies, one of which
was orchid growing. He hybridized and named many for
members of his family and others.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret;
five children, Katherine and husband, John Adair, of
Vail, Colo., Beth Alsup of Amelia Island, Fla., Nancy
and husband, Jim Greider, and William of Dallas, Texas,
and Richard Jr. of Muscatine, Iowa; and eight
grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.
Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. Memorials
may be made to Immaculate Conception Church Building
Fund, 208 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, N.C. 28791-3602
or Elizabeth House, 511 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock,
N.C. 28731.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge
of arrangements.