Richard “Rick” L. Drager, 70, of West Chester, passed away surrounded by family following a brave battle at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on Sunday, August 22.
Rick was known by relatively few but was loved by all that reached his circle. Rick was a devoted son, brother, friend, father and grandfather to those that had the pleasure to know him. He was a very kind man. Rick had 3 sons and loved them dearly, but his granddaughter melted his heart commanding his sole and complete focus. If ever asked for help, his answer was “When should I be there?”.
Rick was primarily responsible for the proliferation of home improvement stores in the 1990s and continued to frequent them throughout his life. He lived by the edict “Measure 4 times, Cut about 3, and One more for good measure” which allowed him to (slowly) reinvent his home and property along with those of his sons. He was a perfectionist in everything he did and it showed in his craftsmanship.
Rick was passionate about family, gardening, music, backspin, cards, and consuming sports. He threw a surprisingly good frisbee and, given his trophy collection, played a mean game of walleyball. He was not a particularly boastful person unless he had you on the ropes in a game of ping pong. He was the champion of the one-and-only Drager family Gee Whiz tournament - a crowning achievement - and will forever be reigning Champion of the Amazing Maize Maze.
He is survived by his mother, Millie; brother, Greg; sisters, Sandy, Linda, Lori, and Steph; sons and their wives, Todd & Kate, CJ & Kimberly, and Justin & Amber; their mother, Eileen; and granddaughter, Madison; in-laws Fred, Peg and Doug and numerous nieces and nephews who all miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his father, Richard “Dick”, and niece, Brittany. He will live on in our hearts forever.
Eileen and sons will host a Celebration of Life for Rick at his home at 226 Retford Lane, West Chester, PA 19380 on Saturday, August 28 starting at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, spend time with your family.
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