Richard Arnold Harper was a father, and grandfather. He died peacefully in his sleep, at the ageof 83 years old in Asheville, North Carolina on November 18th, 2023. He was surrounded andsupported by family in his last moments.

Mr. Harper was born in Norfolk, Virginia on October 14th, 1940. He attended Lansdowne-Aldan Highschool in Upper Darby, PA. He then attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in history. After college he was an adjunct instructor at various colleges on the main line teaching American History. He also worked for his father’s company Harper Roofing and helped grow the business. After three years, he ventured out on his own, starting his own building company: Harper Company. He worked as a self-employed commercial builder for Harper Company, building churches, office complexes, health care facilities and educational buildings. One of his favorite memories was being chosen to build an exhibit hall at Bryn Mawr College for Georgia O’Keefe in 1971.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Wilbur Harper and Eleanore Mabel Hall-Harper.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dianne Carol Harper, his children; David Thomas Harper (spouse - Jeanne), Wendi Lynne Harper-Lonabaugh (spouse - Matthew), Timothy Barrett Harper (spouse - Sarah) Amie Elizabeth Furber (spouse - Brian), his 18 grandchildren, and his brother, Kenneth Lee Harper.

He is lovingly remembered by all as a hard-working Christian family man who genuinely cared about others. He was regularly found mentoring young men and helping them get into the building industry. In his adult life he lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He loved watching and playing sports, especially tennis and golf. He made many memories with his family sailing on the Chesapeake, enjoying the beach at Kiawah Island, and on Lake

Keowee. He loved fishing, sailing, and boating, taking everyone who was with him on the adventure. Richard Harper was a loving husband and father. He lives on through the incredible amount of love he gave to everyone, and the memories all those close to him share.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts please send donations to: Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731