A community loss: Waynesboro's ‘Mayor Dick' passes away
This story has been updated with a photo gallery.
If it was important to Waynesboro, Richard Starliper was there – ribbon-cuttings, ground-breakings, parades, ceremonies, meetings and countless other events.
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The man who served as the face and spirit of the community for nearly two decades as mayor passed away May 16. He was known as 'Mayor Dick' to many and, on social media, one person called him 'Mr. Waynesboro.'
'It is with deep sadness that the Borough of Waynesboro announces the passing of Mayor Richard 'Dick' Starliper. Mayor Starliper passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at the age of 87,' says an announcement from the borough.
'Mayor Starliper, affectionately known as 'Dick' to many in the community, was a dedicated public servant whose leadership, integrity and compassion helped to shape the rejuvenation of our community,' the announcement says. 'He was the quintessential 'Small Town Mayor' often seen in parades, at ribbon-cutting ceremonies for local businesses, chamber of commerce mixers and numerous community functions.'
'Dick was a friend, a neighbor and an advocate for our community and police department,' said C. Harold Mumma, council president.
'Dick was a wealth of institutional knowledge, and he shared that knowledge throughout his years of service. He was a friend, and a trusted adviser who loved this community,' said Jason Stains, borough manager. 'His service has left a lasting impact on Waynesboro.'
Starliper's public service began more than 45 years ago. He served on Waynesboro Borough Council from Jan. 16, 1980, to Jan. 4, 1988, and again from Jan. 2, 1995, to Jan. 7, 2002. His tenure on council included stints as president and vice president.
He served as mayor from Jan. 2, 2006, until his passing.
He was a past president of the Cumberland-Franklin Counties Boroughs Association; a member of the Pennsylvania State Mayors' Association and the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of the State of Pennsylvania; and a current board member for the Pennsylvania State Boroughs Association.
On Aug. 25, 2020, Starliper received the Albert N. 'Abbie' Montecalvo Award for longevity service from the Pennsylvania State Mayor's Association for his service to the Borough of Waynesboro.
'It's a great joy for me and the community at large to receive this award," he said at the time.
At the 2017 Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs annual conference, he received the Carol Sambol Award, given mayors, council members, secretaries, managers and treasurers who have completed 25 or more years of service.
'Not many borough officials are fortunate enough to serve 25-plus years. I consider myself to be one of the lucky few to serve a community like Waynesboro,' Starliper said.
Starliper also started the Franklin County Mayor's Association where, 'all the mayors of Franklin County review their areas on a quarterly basis on how we can help each other to get the job done," Starliper explained in an article in The Record Herald.
After he announced he would not run for a sixth term as mayor in 2025, local artist Nicole Troup was commissioned to paint a portrait of him to hang in council chambers in borough hall. The portrait was unveiled in December 2024 and the image was used in the borough's announcement of his death.
Starliper's community involvement was not limited to government positions.
He was a longtime active member of Faith United Methodist Church, Waynesboro, and a member of the Waynesboro Lions Club, holding leadership roles at the local, regional and zone levels, according to his Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home obituary.
A 1955 graduate of Waynesboro High School, Starliper served in the United States Army Reserves and was called to active duty in the during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he was reinstated with the United States Army Reserves 357th Transportation Company, Greencastle.
Starliper worked at First National Bank of Waynesboro and First National Bank of Fairfield and in the accounting department of Landis Tool Co.
He and his wife, Nancy (Kennedy) Starliper, were married on April 21, 1963. She died on Aug. 6, 1998. He is survived by two daughters and two granddaughters.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. May 22 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Rev. Steve Sheldon officiating. Burial be in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, where military graveside honors will be conducted by the honor guard of Charles Nitterhouse VFW1599, Chambersburg.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. May 21 in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Waynesboro Summer Jubilee, Inc., 118 Walnut Street Suite 111, Waynesboro, PA 17268 or at www.summerjubilee.org/donate
This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Waynesboro Mayor Richard 'Dick' Starliper dies
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