Richard Lee Whitehead

Richard Lee Whitehead, 82, of Moneta, Virginia passed away peacefully on July 29, 2022.

Richard was born October 31, 1939, in Roanoke, VA. He graduated from Jefferson High school, and went on to earn his Bachelors Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1963, formally known as RPI.

Richard proudly worked for the Bedford County Schools as a teacher before leaving and working as an inspector for the US Army Corp of Engineers for twenty years where he retired.  After retiring he returned to the Bedford County Schools to substitute.

Richard was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bedford. He was a Scout leader, passionate about Virginia/American history, and family genealogy throughout his life.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Robert Whitehead and Dorothy Millner Whitehead.  Also, his son Brett Lee Whitehead.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Judith Schultz Whitehead. He has 3 children, Dr. Thorpe Whitehead (Deborah G.), Amy Whitehead Pugh (William T.) and Catherine Whitehead Mellon (William C.). He has ten grandchildren, Alexandra Whitehead Zocco (James), Brett Lee Whitehead Jr., Clarissa Whitehead Conforti (Daniel), Amelia Whitehead, Savannah Whitehead Yurgel (Seth), Emily Whitehead, William H. Pugh, Sydney Pugh, Madeline Mellon and Harrison Mellon. He also has 2 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Zocco and Julianna Zocco. Additionally, a sister in-law Nancy Schultz Miles (Hal), and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial in celebration of Richards’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bedford, VA on September 3, 2022, at 1pm, with a small reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Bedford, VA or The Boy Scouts of America.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family. To send online condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com