Richard L. Conklin, age 81, of Shelton entered into rest on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at CT Hospice in Branford. He was the devoted husband of over 41 years to Darleen (Scovill) Conklin.
Richard was born in West Haven on February 17, 1940 son of the late Warren and Julia (Mackniak) Conklin. He moved to Shelton in May 1949, attended local schools and graduated from Shelton High School in 1957. He proudly served with the US Army National Guard from 1960 – 1966 in the 102nd Infantry Regiment. He graduated from the Non Commissioned Officers Academy and became a Sergeant E‑5 Rifle Squad Leader. Richard received an Honorable Discharge. Richard was the Facilities Administrator at Bic Corporation until his retirement. Richard loved antique trucks, cars, motorcycles, scooters and tractors. He loved to attend and participate in antique car shows. Richard was a member of the Connecticut Chapter Early Ford V8 Club of America. He also enjoyed boating, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, chainsaws and building stone walls. Richard loved his married life with Darleen, spending time at their wood lot in Massachusetts, built a home, barn, pond, stonewalls and grew Christmas trees since 1980. They loved exposing their children to a rural life style. Richard said “you haven’t done a good days work unless you have woodchips in your belly button at the end of the day”. Richard was an ardent bicycle rider and rode over 135,000 miles during his life time. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family.
Richard was the beloved father of Sara Conklin and her fiancée Michael Podemski, Joshua Conklin and his wife Selina, loving grandfather of Gavin, Jacob and Connor and brother of Thomas Conklin and his wife Maryanne and brother-in-law of Ora Conklin. He was also survived by several nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was predeceased by two brothers, Leonard Conklin and William Conklin, two sisters, Doris Brady and Rosemary Conklin, and his in-laws Gary and Pauline Scovill. Richard was predeceased by his first wife Mary (Middendorf) and was the father of Robert Conklin and his wife Janette, Richard Conklin and his wife Diana and Wendy Laden and her life partner Jan Jurgielewicz.
A walk-through visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, March 25th from 5 to 7 PM at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton. Visitors are required to wear masks and social distance as they walk through, pay their respects and exit without lingering to ensure all guests can come through. His funeral service will be private.
