Richard L Kisslak , August 15, 1936 — April 17, 2018

Richard L. “Dick” Kisslak, 81, Bellefonte, PA died April 17, 2018 at Centre Crest, Bellefonte, PA. Born Richard L. Yoder on Aug. 15, 1936 in Johnstown, PA he was the youngest of 9 children of the late Alton Leroy and Hulda Miller Yoder.

Dick’s mother died and his father placed the two youngest children in the Johnstown Christian Home (A Brethren Home). Richard remained there until 1945 when he was chosen by the late George and Arlene Blough Kisslak for adoption. They were able to provide many things for Dick but the greatest thing was their unending love.

Richard graduated from Conemaugh Twp. High School and Susquehanna University with a degree in Music Education. Upon graduation he moved to St. Louis, MO where he taught music for 8 years before moving back to Pennsylvania where he taught in the State College Area schools.

While in Missouri he was the Minister of Music at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for 6 years and Bass Soloist at many functions in the St. Louis area. Dick held a permanent teaching certification in both Pennsylvania and Missouri. Dick did not meet many of his siblings until his brother Don arranged a family reunion after an effort of 20 years in Johnstown in 1967.

There he met many of his siblings and their families. Dick’s only surviving sibling is his sister, Joan Emmel who lives in Monroeville, PA Richard became involved in many civic organizations after his return to Pennsylvania including not only Rotary, Kiwanis, Bellefonte Chamber of Commerce (past president), Bellefonte Drug Awareness Board, Presidency of both the Kiwanis Clubs of Bellefonte and State College, Past Lt. Governor of PA Kiwanis, Trustee of PA Kiwanis and Past District Governor of PA Kiwanis.

Dick was a 40 + year member of Kiwanis and a Life Member of both the PA District of Kiwanis and Kiwanis International. He was also a charter member of Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, Charter member of Historic Bellefonte, and a member of the Board of the Bellefonte Industrial Development Corp. Among his many awards he had been made “Honorary Mayor” of Bellefonte in 1984.

Dick’s passion for life was exhibited by his promotion of Kiwanis and its mission in “Serving the Children of the World”. Dick is survived by 8 children and 10 grandchildren and his sister. At Dick’s request, there will be no public visitation and burial will be at the convenience of his family.

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