Richard Earl "Dick" Maurer

Richard Earl "Dick" Maurer, 88 years old, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025.

Born in Wilkes-Barre to Earl W. and Jessie Louise Maurer, he graduated from Wyoming Seminary.  He continued his education at Washington & Jefferson University and Wilkes College.  When his father developed cancer he became a salesman for Rohrbach Hardware and eventually took over the business. Dick built lifelong friendships as an entrepreneur.  He was ahead of his time as he developed the Scranton Marketplace, the Scranton Indoor Flea Market and the Wicker Gazebo at Capouse Avenue. "Nobody ever said life was easy" he reminded his children and grandchildren frequently.  He taught us all to work hard for what we wanted in life.  There would be many disappointments, but you would need to push through for success.

Our Dad had a love of life. He had many interests and hobbies.  A small garden that produced mint leaves for every grandchild's visit and enough veggies for his salads.  Time outside, doing yard work or tending to the pool, were not chores, but opportunities to talk with neighbors or be ready to entertain.  And if you knew Dick Maurer, you knew he loved to entertain!  Always ready with the appetizers and a Maurer Manhattan.  He was a curious chef, his clam casinos and grill skills were known by many!  He loved to go out to eat with his dearest friends and friends.  All restaurants were duly ranked in his left pocket notebook, as were every book he read, people he met and important things he did not want to forget.

He was a lifelong learner, embracing the internet (even if only to swap recipes and share bad jokes). His love of music grew from LPs, to cassettes, to CDs and most recently his "dot".  He danced and even sang, not well but joyfully! His postcard collection was only second in size to his fishing gear! (but we all know actual size doesn't matter when talking about fish!). He loved to read the paper and do puzzles. In recent years, Rummikub and poker games around the table at the Pines became his obsession.

He was a Cheerleader!  Attending every activity of his children and grandchildren, from soccer to karate, every graduation and birthday.  Many celebrations occurred at Mimi and PaPa's place!  He was a resource of wisdom, offering guidance or business advice only when asked. He was a shoulder to lean on when any of us needed help. He was an Explorer – happy to travel with friends and family!  He was all of this and so much more.

When Dick met Jane, he was more than a husband.  It was way more than the storybook.  Together built of life of love and laughter.  Built on a friendship that was unbreakable.  Their commitment to each other brought them through the most difficult hardship, the death of a child. Something no parent should endure.  Yet, with the unwavering love and support of family, friends, neighbors, church and community, they drew strength from each other.  Working together side-by-side, they lived a love story for sixty-two years.  When Mom passed on December 2nd, 2022, dad pushed forward with their plans.  His faith was unwavering.  "With God, all things are possible" and he allowed God to guide him into the future and right through to the day he died.

He is survived by two daughters, Jenny Louise Collins and husband Todd, Roaring Brook Twp, PA and Wendy Cominsky, Dallas PA; three cherished grandchildren, Andrew Collins and fiancé Heidi Granville (who shared his birthday) Rochester NY, Amanda Collins, Scranton, PA and Sarah Cominsky, Denver, CO.  He is also survived by Jane's sister Margaret Ochman and husband Paul, Kingston, PA several nieces, nephews and cousins.  His internment will be held privately at Newton Cemetery, where he will be buried next to his wife and infant son, Richard Charles Maurer.

As per his wishes, we will have a New Orleans Style Jazz funeral and "When the Saints Go Marching In" will be played as his final wish.  Please join us for a celebration of a life well lived at the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 16th at 1:00pm 300 School Street, Clarks Summit PA.  Donations may be made to the church in lieu of flowers.