BELLEFONTE — The Bellefonte Cruise and greater community are mourning the loss of Richard “Dick” Haines, who died on Monday, May 26.
Haines, an active member of the community, worked at the Bellefonte Train Station as the Visitor Information Specialist. Additionally, he served as the president for the local USA #1 Corvette Club where he led monthly meetings for more than 20 years, was the driving force behind the annual Stocker Car Show and has been a major part of the Bellefonte Cruise for may years.
The Bellefonte Cruise will have a new award for best in show for Corvettes in Haines’ memory at this year’s Cruise.
“Rick was the ultimate storyteller, always ready to offer a fascinating glimpse into Bellefonte’s history to anyone who stopped by,” Fritz Smith, president and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, said in a press release.
Haines has been a longtime Bellefonte resident, graduating from Bellefonte Area High School in 1976, and remained active in the community for decades to follow.
“Out of high school, he went to work for Bonfatto’s, keeping that job throughout the Grange Fair. After leaving Bonfatto’s, he worked for various employers including Houser Vending, Sam Nastase and mowing cemeteries while working with Butch and Shorty Richner,” Haines’ obituary outlined.
“Finding his niche, he and his wife opened their own business in 1990, Haines Burial Vaults. After retiring in 2014, he went to work for Fisher’s Auto Part Delivery and was most recently working for the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.”
According to the obituary, Haines enjoyed all things Corvettes, John Wayne, Dale Earnhart and growing his Tigger collection. Also an avid outdoorsman, Hines was a life member of the National Rifle Association and could be found hunting, cutting wood or “hauling junk.”
“Dick never knew a stranger; he could strike up a conversation just about anything with someone,” the obituary continued. “More than anything, he loved his family, and especially treasured spending time with his granddaughters.”
