Richard Henry Kustin, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on May 14, 2025, at the age of 101. Richard (Dick) was born on January 3, 1924, in Philadelphia, later attending Central High School. After high school, Dick obtained a degree in Poultry Husbandry from The National Farm School and then worked a number of years on Cape Cod raising turkeys. He then earned an Electrical Engineering degree from the Pennsylvania State University. After graduating from Penn State, Dick joined Henkels & McCoy, a large utility construction company. Initially, he was a line crew foreman but then advanced to a position in the purchasing department. Eventually he became the purchasing director and an officer of the company. His career at Henkels & McCoy spanned over 40 years. It was just after Dick started working at Henkels & McCoy that he met Helen Clay, the love of his life and wife of nearly 60 years, on a blind date. Dick and Helen shared a loving, memorable life together enjoying their family, camping, traveling, gardening and Penn State sports.
Dick was a natural born leader and very gregarious. When he met someone new, he would remember their name. He always greeted everyone and would describe people as “a good friend of mine.” He had strong opinions on the right way to do something and was always available to help someone in time of need. Dick was a scoutmaster and active in boy scouts for most of his life. One of Dick’s proudest moments with scouts was when he met President Truman & General Eisenhower at the 1950 National Jamboree at Valley Forge.
Dick retired to State College and this is when he really started to get busy. He was an avid Penn State sports fan, known by some of his neighbors as Mr. Penn State. Football and women’s volleyball were his favorites but at one time he also had season tickets for women’s basketball and softball, as well as men’s ice hockey, volleyball and basketball. He traveled abroad as a chaperone for the women’s volleyball and rugby teams. For 18 years, Dick led the Tailback Club, a club for fans of Penn State athletic programs. He was deeply involved with many groups and organizations in and around Penn State such as the Center County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, the 55 Club at Good Shepherd Church, the Triad organization, the Boal Barn Theatre and various committees at The Village of Penn State, just to name a few. In 2007, the Penn State Alumni Association awarded Dick the Philip Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award recognizing his significant service contributions on behalf of the University.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Clay Kustin. He is survived by his 7 children, Andrew Kustin (Kathy), Elizabeth “Betsy” Kustin (Caryle), Catherine “Cathy” Ganter (Ralph), David Kustin (Julie), Esther Cordell (Jim), Francine Vido (Joe) and Genevieve Grube; his 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank the staff and everyone at The Village of Penn State for their ongoing loving care and kindness towards Dad.
Rest in peace, Dad, you are now with Mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Church, 867 Grays Woods Blvd, Port Matilda, PA 16870.
A Celebration of Life Mass will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Good Shepherd Church with a Visitation held prior to mass from 9:30am – 10:45am. Private inurnment will take place at Centre County Memorial Park.
Arrangements are entrusted to Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com.