Biography: Richard V. Emerson of Lake Heritage passed away on September 24, 2016 at the age of 87.  Dick was born at home in Harford County, MD to the late James Earnie and Pearl (Osborne) Emerson.
Dick proudly served in the Marine Corps and went on to graduate from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.  While in Philly he met the love of his life and they started married life in Baltimore.
Dick in his crew cut brought his family to Adams County in 1960 to open the Super Thrift in Littlestown.  Then in 1965, as part of the “War on Poverty” under the Johnson administration, the Community Action Agency (which is now SCCAP) came into being and Dick was the first Executive Director.  In the late ‘60s, Dick testified in front of Congress that led to legislation known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  In 1972, with community support, the Adams Hanover Sheltered Workshop was opened and Dick was the first Executive Director for the agency which is now known as the H.A.R.T. Center.  His next move took him to PIBH which is an agency that represents workshops and blind centers in PA and he enjoyed his work as their Director of Sales and traveling throughout the commonwealth.  Dick always said that he started a lot of things but never finished – we always told him that all of that good work that he started is still going on and is still helping people – so it couldn’t be finished.
Dick retired to his Lake Heritage home.  He had purchased one of the first lots at the lake, designed & constructed the third home in the development.  He loved fishing, boating, water-skiing in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.  Dick & Grace loved traveling with friends and many of those trips included fresh and salt water fishing with his buddies.  Dick spent many an hour fishing on Lake Heritage, the Susquehanna River and crabbing on the Wye River.  Dick was a 32nd degree Mason and a Scottish Rite member.
Dick was pre-deceased by his son, Richard (Rick) Emerson, Jr and his brother, James E. Emerson Jr.  Dick is survived by his devoted daughter, Patricia and nieces Jane (Jerry) Bowers, Belinda (John) Karas, Dianne, Debbie, Donna and a nephew Rob Osborne and many great nieces and nephews.  Pap-Pap will be dearly missed by his granddaughters Kali and Kara Emerson and his daughter-in-law Zoe Fox Emerson and son-in-law Jerry Mabry – all of Midlothian, VA. 
Dick donated his body to science through the Human Gifts Registry, Philadelphia.  A service to celebrate his life will be held at a future date.  Little’s Funeral Home, Littlestown is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared on www.littlesfh.com.