Reverend Dr. Arthur Richard Erisman, 90

April 30, 2025

A. Richard “Dick” Erisman of Willow Street PA, passed gently into eternal life on April 30, 2025, at age 90. He was a resident of Willow Valley Retirement Community since 2017. Born in Millersville, PA, Dick was the son of Arthur and Kathryn (Hackman) Erisman. He was the loving and devoted husband of the late Sally J. (Aument) Erisman for over 66 years.

Dick was a graduate of Manor-Millersville High School, Millersville State College, Temple University (MEA), and Nova Southeastern University (DEd). He spent 30+ years as an educator in PA, as a teacher or principal in the Quarryville (Solanco), Lancaster Township, Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley and Southeastern York County school districts. After retiring from public school education in 1986, Dick embarked on a second career as a Christian Educator in the United Methodist Church (UMC) and was ordained as a UMC deacon in 1997. He served for over 25 years combined at Stewartstown UMC, Camp Hill UMC and Hope (Ephrata) UMC.

Dick was a prominent high school athlete. He was inducted into the Penn Manor High School (Millersville) Athletic Wall of Honor in 2008. He played soccer, basketball and baseball, earning All Star status in several Lancaster County baseball leagues, and always reserved a special place in his heart for our beloved Fightin’ Phils! Dick loved playing golf and enjoyed family pinochle games (or any card game), plus hunting and recreating in Potter County, PA as a 50-year member of the Millersville Rod and Gun Club.

Surviving are: son Thomas, husband of Jane (Meadowcroft) Erisman of Bel Air, MD; daughters Margaret Stamm, wife of Rev. Dr. Mark Stamm of Richardson, TX, and Cynthia Erisman-Ward, wife of William Ward, Jr of Seven Valleys, PA; Four grandchildren (Matthew, Timothy, Victoria and Elizabeth); brothers Kenneth, James and Frederick, and sister Kathleen Woerner. Dick was preceded in death by his brother Gordon.

The Erisman family gratefully thanks the staff at the Lakes Campus of Willow Valley for all their care, kindness and delicious chocolate milkshakes provided to our loved one.

Dick will be buried privately at Zion Church Cemetery in Millersville, and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 am at West Willow United Methodist Church, 118 West Willow Road, Willow Street, PA 17584. His family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 to 11:00 before the celebration

Contributions in memory of Dick may be made to West Willow U.M. Church, 118 West Willow Rd, Willow Street, PA 17584 westwillowumc.com
or Water Street Mission, 210 South Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 wsm.org