Richard Clay Stover

Richard Clay “Smokey” Stover, Retired Lt. Commander, USN, age 91, of West Newton, formerly of White Oak, PA, died Tuesday, March 28, 2023. He was born in Pittsburgh on February 9, 1932, and is the son of the late Samuel C. and Helen McCord Stover. He was previously married to June Florence Hippel, Ann Margaret, and Norma Jean Ault. During his grade school years, he resided in the cherished town of New Bethlehem, then graduated from McKeesport High School in 1951, and then graduated as an Industrial Engineer from Penn State University in 1955. Following employment with the Crucible Steel Company of America, he proudly served a highly venturesome career in the United States Navy highlighted by serving aboard aircraft carriers USS Hancock CUA-19, USS Ranger CUA-58, and during the Vietnam Conflict, the USS Enterprise CUA(N)-65. He then served on the staff of Commander Second Fleet aboard the USS Newport News CA-148, the Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center, flew with the Navy’s Hurricane Hunters and then retired as the Operations Officer of Commander Tactical Support Wing One in 1975. Delving into genealogy, Richard uncovered multiple Revolutionary and Civil War roots on both sides of his family and the probability of Native American heritage. He had a great zest for expressing his conservative patriotism and his disdain for liberal progressivism. Richard was previously an elder for the United Presbyterian Church of Sewickley Township, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Penn State’s President Club and Alumni Association, the McKeesport High School Alumni Association. He was a benefactor for the White Oak Athletic Association, the Penn State Athletics Department, Auberle Home, St. Labre and St. Joseph’s Native American schools for youth, and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. He is survived by children; Susan (George) Sadowski of Virginia Beach, VA, Sherry Motes of Moyock, NC, and Samuel Stover of Virginia Beach, and several grandchildren. A burial took place and arrangements were handled by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177). To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com