Obituary of Richard E. Varker

Richard “Dick” Edwards Varker, 91, of Chatham, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at his home.

Dick was born in Philadelphia on December 6, 1932. His mother Mary Belle Dickson was a physician and his father William Metcalf Varker was an architect.

Dick attended The Stoneybrook School on Long Island for High School and then University of Pennsylvania.

His wife of over 50 years, Carolyn Branson Varker, passed away on May 12, 2008.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Katherine Varker Crimmins and her life partner, Georg Brewer; his cherished grandchildren, George, Harry, and Caroline; his niece Dixie Robnett; and his nephews, Brad Pettit and Butch Varker.

He was predeceased by his sister Rosey and his brother Bill.

Dick will be missed by his friends, especially Howard Dall, who was his closest confidant right up until the end.

Dick owned Pamco, a parking area maintenance company located in Philadelphia.  He served as a pilot in the US Navy, flying Awacs over the North Atlantic while stationed in Newfoundland. Dick also taught at a private flight school.

With his late wife, Carol, he devoted his later life to caring for his grandchildren. With his rescue dog, Munee, he spent a lot of time with his granddaughter Caroline —doing art projects, dance classes, gymnastics, and many other adventures.

Dick enjoyed a lifelong love of aviation and would often visit the Morristown Airport to watch the planes take off and land. He sometimes brought his grandchildren with him, and this experience inspired his grandson George to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering at Auburn University.

He shared a close relationship with his grandson Harry, who spent the most time with him in the last few months of his life playing poker, talking about investing and telling the stories of his life. Harry cares deeply about the family history, and in that way a part of his grandfather lives on in him.

Dick’s family is forever grateful that they had the opportunity to spend time with him as he came in for his “final approach,” as they say in aviation. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday November 24, 2024 in New Jersey and via Zoom.