Richard "Dick" Best

[Doug Maney]

Dick hosted his last open house on Saturday Sept. 8. Rest in peace friend.

RICHARD L. BEST

NEW WATERFORD – Richard L. Best, 80, died Monday morning at his residence.

Mr. Best affectionately known as “Dick” was born Sept. 6, 1932, in Youngstown, a son of Peter and Irene Burkhart Ernst.

For two years Dick was raised by his grandparents, Ben and Della Burkhart. In 1937, he was adopted by his father, Harry W. Best.

A 1950 graduate of Wilson High School, Dick founded in 1967, the R. L. Best Company on Bev Road in Boardman and in 1985 the second location in Sanford, Fla.

In May of 1951, Dick became a collector of antique vehicles, including cars and trains, but mostly historical trucks. Dick and his wife, Evie, gave tours of their antique vehicles and would hold an annual open house at their residence. The last one was just this past Saturday.

Dick was a member of the Poland Lodge No. 766 F&AM and a 32nd degree Mason of the Valley of Youngstown Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Al Koran Shrine of Cleveland and the Youngstown Shrine Club. He was also a member of the Salem Golf Club, Saxon Club, former member of Youngstown Club, and Charter President of the Poland Optimist Club. Dick was a member of the Canfield Christian Church.

With his love of collecting antique vehicles, Dick was active in many organizations including the ATHS National Club, ATHS Northeast Ohio Club, ATHS Steel Valley Club, Austin Bantam Society, ATCA Historical Society, ATCA Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, TCA Club, the Old Time Trucks, Classic White Truck Group, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, AACA Antique Auto Club, Coolspring Power Museum, Canton Museum, the Packard Museum and a former member and past president of the Youngstown Model T Club.

Dick leaves his wife, the former Evie M. Wallace, whom he married Aug. 10, 1990; three sons, Ted A. (Laura) Best of Sanford, Mark R (Kimberly) Best of Greenford, and Randall L. Best of New Waterford; three stepdaughters, Jeanie (Tony) Salem of Columbiana, Deborah (Dennis) Dickson of Columbus, and Joan Quaranta of Indiana; two brothers, Ray (Liz) Best of Austintown and Carl Best of Tampa, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Jeff, Katie, Royce, Kelly, Karen, Cassandra, Tony Jr. and Candace; and his loving dog, Maxi.

[220cummins]

May he rest in peace! I was going to go to his open house this year and something came up. I was just talking to a couple teamsters at the labor day parade in pittsburgh that were headed out there last saturday. My condolences to his family..