McALEVY'S FORT - Richard E. Saunders, 83, of 13434 Silver Pine Road, McAlevy's Fort, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, after a long battle with emphysema.

He was born in Fernwood, Delaware County, the son of Isabelle M. (Crilly) and Richard F. Saunders.

He was united in marriage to Alice L. (Wilson) on Sept. 14, 1979, who survives along with a brother, Louis Saunders of Avalon, N.J. and six children from a previous marriage who live throughout the country.

As a child he spent three years in an orphanage and another four or five years with families who offered him temporary care and housing. He began working in eighth grade to help support his mother, and had to quit school.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, volunteering as an armed guard on merchant ships. He was an anti-aircraft 20 millimeter gunner on ammunition ships, he went around the world twice. His ship picked up Rommel's north African German soldiers, bringing them back to POW camps in Berkley, Va.

He was injured while at battle stations and spent three months in the mountains of Sri Lanka recovering from a leg infection. He then volunteered for the submarine service seeing active duty from 1944 to 1948, he served as a torpedoman and on fire control duties in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He was part of the commissioning crew for the USS Sirago at the end of the war. He taught and trained free escape methods without apparatus. He also served on the USS Dogfish and the USS Trumpet Fish submarines.

His medals included the American Campaign Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaigns, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Service, Philippine Liberation and Good Conduct Medal.

After his discharge he played semi-pro baseball and fast pitch softball for seven years. He had been an avid Navy football and baseball player for the submarine service.

When he returned from his service to the country he began work at the Philadelphia Electric Company as an apprentice lineman. It was a job he truly loved as he worked his way through the ranks as a single lineman for trouble shooting at fires and accidents from foreman to district supervisor. His final promotion was to a methods/training supervisor where he developed and trained all high voltage rescue procedures. His crews also did training films for the National Safety Council.

During his employment he worked on all voltages from 2400 to 220,000 volts. At his retirement he received numerous commendations for his accomplishments, including stopping at accident scenes to render assistance to injured motorists.

He was an active member of the State College Assembly of God Church where he participated in outreach groups and senior activities. he was also a lifetime member of the Stone Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Company, serving on various committees over the years. He was also a member of the Jackson Township Crime Watch and a past member of the McAlvey's Fort Lions Club. He was a member of U.S. Sub Vets Holland Club, Sub Vets of World War II, and a loyal longterm member of a 12 Step Program.

He spent his retirement years, along with his wife Alice, enjoying hunting, fishing, and walking with their dogs on their farm near Alan Seeger Natural Forest Area. He enjoyed mowing the meadow lands with his John Deere tractor, watching the birds at the many feeders on the property, and tinkering in his garage. He loved to take things apart and see what made them work. He was an avid reader and a faithful provider, a quiet man strong in character, compassionate and generous. He had a heart for those in need and the homeless. During the last ten years of his life, he struggled with his deteriorating lung disease, but "Rick" never lost his faith. He held fast in the Lord and was a blessing and encouragement to all who knew him.

It was his wish that burial be private with no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to shelter services, 13 Depot St., Lewistown, PA 17044 or to the State College Assembly of God, 2201 University Drive Extension, State College, PA 16801.