Richard Edward Thurfield, Sr.
May 17, 1952 — April 8, 2024
Richard Edward Thurfield, Sr., age 71, of Abingdon, Maryland, passed away on April 8, 2024, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Charles and Mary Knight Thurfield and was the beloved husband of Barbara Thurfield. Richard was a devoted member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Kingsville, MD.
Known for his innate ability to fix anything; from cars to VCRs and anything in between. This knack was one he dearly enjoyed passing on to his grandson, who was often side-by-side with his Pop-pop, leaning over a fender or at the kitchen table with a soldering iron in hand. Richard was an avid collector of tools and repair manuals of every kind and spent many Sunday's watching videos and shows on home repair or car repair.
Richard was a professional truck driver and spent most of his career driving cement trucks. First, alongside his late father with the Campbell’s company in White Marsh, Maryland, later with GenStar, LaFarge and he finally retired from Potts & Callahan a few years ago. Even after he retired, there were few things Richard loved more than taking a car ride, with Barb and Dixie or one of the grandkids. Despite his countless hours on the road, in his over sixty-years behind the wheel, he never had so much as a fender bender or a speeding ticket.
Having played music in his youth, Richard kept several guitars on hand throughout his life, and it was not unusual to hear him strumming a tune on any given day. He was a fan of sixties rock & roll, especially Elvis, the Beatles and the Monkees. Richard had a keen sense of humor and was a source of joy and laughter to those around him. He cherished spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and delighted in family gatherings.
Richard had a special bond with his beloved dog, Dixie. He and his wife, Barbara, shared a love for music and enjoyed attending bull roasts together. Richard was a member of Mt. Ararat Lodge No. 44, AF & AM in Bel Air Maryland, and a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Susquehanna.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, Richard is survived by his daughter, April Frankenberger; son and daughter-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thurfield, Jr.; grandchildren, Griffin Thurfield, Willa Thurfield, Journey Frankenberger, Lily Thurfield, Hanna Thurfield, and London Frankenberger; and sisters, Barbara Ann Blazek, Gloria Mahlstedt, and Mary Outten.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Thurfield, and his son, Michael Allan Thurfield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Harford County Humane Society (https://www.harfordshelter.org/), 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, MD 21047, or to the Edsel A. Spellman Mount Ararat Lodge Charitable Foundation.
Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched.