Richard Potekhen

Richard Paul Potekhen (“Dick”), born August 7, 1945 in Clayton, Georgia, passed away at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia on November 27, 2025. 

Dick was a graduate of Riverside Military Academy and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He later completed coursework for a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Dakota. Dick served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force. His professional career spanned several respected organizations, including Bell Helicopter and Lockheed Georgia. He went on to serve as an engineering and project manager for Babcock & Wilcox, Framatome, Areva, and NovaTech. Dick’s favored pastimes were tinkering with engines, inventing problem-solving gadgets, and finding new uses for discarded items. His greatest joy was in “saving” something that would have otherwise become trash. He loved writing, public radio, and newspaper comics. A longtime member of Peakland Methodist Church, Dick held many positions throughout the years and cherished the time he spent in worship. In retirement, he found camaraderie in several beloved groups: the Starbucks/Montana Plains “Coffee Boys,” “The Committee,” and the Panera Bread devotion group. He loved his annual visits to Little Meadows near Mountain Lake, Virginia. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Pauline Coffee Mooney and George Paul Potekhen. 

He is survived by his wife Celia Dillard Potekhen; his daughters Kristen Joy Potekhen, Molly Potekhen Miller (husband Peter), and Nancy Potekhen Cook (husband William); his stepson William Thomas Culpepper IV (wife Cristy); and his grandchildren Masun Braun, William Culpepper V, Philip Miller, Samuel Miller, Agee Cook, Garland Cook, and Robert Cook. Dick held close his special cousin Tom Rucker and his wife Sita, as well as his dear friend Ron Dorman and his wife Tish. 

Dick’s funeral will be held at Peakland United Methodist Church on December 6 at 1:00 p.m. 

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is serving the family.