Richard L. “Dick” DIBBLE, 83, of West Bluff Drive, Keuka Park, NY, formerly of Whitesville, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023, at his lake home with the sun shining through the window and the lake glistening outside.

Born December 8, 1940, in Westfield, PA, he was the son of Kenneth and Ruth Price Dibble. On April 10, 1959, in the Whitesville United Methodist Church, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Leah Kear, who survives. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2024.

Growing up on a farm on Heselton Gully outside of Whitesville, he did chores before and after school. That work ethic stayed with him for the rest of his life. A basketball, baseball, and volleyball standout at Whitesville Central School, Class of 1958, and a Blue Jay for life, he was inducted into the Allegany County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

He also was a 50-year member of the Whitesville Fire Department, a founding member of the Independence Emergency Squad, and a long-time member of the Whitesville School Board, including many terms as president. He also served as a police officer in Whitesville and a trustee for the Whitesville United Methodist Church.

After he finished working for the day, he travelled throughout Western New York and northern Pennsylvania as a referee for high school basketball and soccer games. He was an avid runner, competing in marathons and other road races.

After graduating from high school, he was employed at Mapes Woodworking of Whitesville, Capital Plastic of Wellsville, and then began employment at Air Preheater. He and Leah simultaneously retired in August 1996, and soon after moved to their home on Keuka Lake, where they had an open door for family and friends.

He and his friend, Phil Pearce, teamed up on West Bluff Drive and performed handyman duties for their neighbors and friends. He also served as a trustee at the Bluff Point United Methodist Church. Dick and Leah wintered in Lake Griffin Harbor, Leesburg, FL.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Christopher (Sandie) Dibble of Orange Park, FL and Anita Dibble of Rochester; three grandchildren, Beth Dibble and Ian (Lindsay) Dibble, both of Orange Park, FL, and Chief Petty Officer Erik (Meghan) Dibble of Graniteville, SC; four great-grandchildren, Nadia Dibble, Luke Dibble, Amelia Dibble, and Mia Dibble; two brothers, Gary Dibble of Georgia and Robert (Cheryl) Dibble of Tennessee; sister, Kay (William) Birmingham of Wellsville; sister-in-law, MaryEllen (Richard) VanEtten of Wellsville; brother-in-law Tony DeSain of Wellsville; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

At Dick’s wish, there will be no immediate services. A gathering to celebrate Dick’s life will be held in Summer 2024.

Memorials may be made to Whitesville Fire Department, P.O. Box 256, Whitesville, NY 14897, Independence Emergency Squad, PO Box 309, Whitesville, NY 14897, or Bluff Point United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 134, Bluff Point, NY 14478.

Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.  Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.