Richard Vernon Runge

Richard V. Runge (A.K.A. “Dick” or “Duke”) 83, of Stewartstown Pa passed away unexpectantly on January 8, 2023. He was born in Chicago, IL the only child to the late Vernon C. and Lisa (Behmer) Runge. He was raised in Albuquerque, NM, Denver CO and Falls Church VA as his father, and executive with Social Security Administration was transferred. Dick graduated from George Mason High School in Falls Church VA and earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology from George Washington University in Washington DC. He was a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm. Dick later did graduate work at Howard University and earned his master’s degree in Social Work at University of Maryland in Baltimore. Mr Runge was a licensed Certified Social Worker-- Clinical, whose career in the field began at the Frederick County Maryland, Department of Social Services in the area of child welfare. He later transferred to the Spring Grove (state) Hospital Center in Catonsville, MD, where he specialized in forensics--the interaction of mental health disciplines and the law, both in regard to involuntary civil commitment to psychiatric facilities and evaluations for the courts of defendants as to their competency to stand trial and whether they are or are not, criminally responsible due to mental disorder. Dick retired from a 32-year career with the state-- 25 year career at Spring Grove Hospital Center in Catonsville, MD in 1996. He then continued his social work career as a contractual clinical consultant at various hospitals, Sinai, Shepherd Pratt, until fully retiring in 2005. Mr Runge was also a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 1991 at the rank of Sergeant First Class, having served variously as an Intelligence Analyst, a Behavioral Science Specialist, and a Military Police NCO. Since retiring to PA in 2005 Dick was a member of the Stewartstown V.F.W. Post # 7046 and Dallastown American Legion Post # 605. He was also a member of the Stewartstown Senior Center where he loved to play cards, Wii bowling, bingo, took a trip one year to Cape May to whale watch and just love spending time with his extended family at the center wherever the adventures took them. Dick enjoyed his time as a volunteer helping his community as a SpiriTrust Lutheran Touch-A-Life volunteer driver. He was a union member of AFSCME Retirees, Chapter 1, in Baltimore, MD and a former member of both Columbia and Towson Unitarian Churches in Maryland. During his 34 years living in the Baltimore area Mr Runge was well known as a character actor in community theatre . He played a wide variety of roles from Kings and Generals to mob bosses and street hoodlums, to elderly businessmen. However, his favorite role was as The Ghost of Christmas Present in "Scrooge, The Musical. That characters generosity and joie de vivre he always tried to emulate. Dick loved rooting for the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens and when his favorite teams were not playing he always rooted for the underdog. Dick had a passion for book reading (especially with his fur babies on his lap), music (particularly classical), history, trains, antique cars, enjoyed going to the movies, and any outings, time spent with his family he loved. He was a kind, gentle, generous, loving person with such a big heart. He is loved deeply by his family, friends. It has to be said that anyone who had a chance to spend time with Dick enjoyed this time. We love you. Dick is survived by his step-children; Mary Jane L. Hohman, Jeffrey G. Hohman, Nicholas J. Hohman and his wife, Jennifer, Michelle A. Hohman and Michael A. Rebok; Loving step-grandchildren, Gabriel V. Hohman, Nathan B. Hohman, Chase B. Hohman, and Katelyn M. Hohman, his “fur babies”, Zing-Zing and Sophia, and friends; he was preceded in death by his wives, Meredith (Thompson) Runge, Suzanne (Schultz) Runge and Mary Jo (Bailey) Runge and their chocolate Maltipoo, Lady Godiva. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society. https://donate3.cancer.org/ A celebration of his Dick’s life is being planned.