Obituaries

Richard K. Sexton, 64

Richard K. Sexton, 64, of Lititz, PA, passed away at his residence on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

He was the husband of Regina Petzoldt Sexton, with whom he would have celebrated 40 years of marriage this coming September 10th. Born in Ludwigsburg, Germany, he was the son of Richard Krust of Germany and Lore Schneller Sexton of Trenton, NJ.

Richard had been the owner of Penn Veterinary Supply Inc. of Leola, establishing the company in 1981.

He enjoyed reading and writing, hiking and loved the outdoors. As a young man, he studied karate, earning a 4th degree black belt.

Richard was a US Army veteran, serving as a Private in Germany during the Vietnam War.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his two sons: Richard J. married to Jennifer Sexton of Lancaster and Michael A. married to Stella Sexton of Lititz, and by his 3 grandsons, Karl, Grant, and Arno.

Friends will be received on Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 10:15- 11AM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster, 538 West Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA, with the Memorial Service to follow at 11AM.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory to ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 500 Office Center Drive, Suite 340, Fort Washington, PA 19034. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory 560-5100

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OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT VEDCO INC IN ST JOSEPH MISSOURI.

My deepest sympathy for the Sexton family.  Rich was a wonderful person and will be deeply missed.  I had the honor and privilege of working with Rich for 17 years, he was a great person to know.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Sexton family. 
Sincerely,
Sue Hassler.

Our sincere sympathy to the Sexton family during this most difficult time.
George and Cynthia Seiler and your friends at Paw Prints Veterinary Clinic

I first met Rich Sexton in 1986. 

We met in Rich’s office and it would have been during the early days of Penn Vet Supply.  When Rich organized Penn Vet in 1981 it wasn’t the best time to start a business, prime lending rates were around 21% and the country was in a period of very high inflation.  Many people thought that it was just a matter of time that Penn Vet would be out of business.  

But, 1981 evolved to 1982, then 1983, 1984 and 1985 and not only was Penn Vet still in business, they were growing and doing quite well.  They had just moved into a brand new facility and it was clear that not only were they NOT going to go out of business, they were thriving, and that was due to the leadership of Rich Sexton and the outstanding staff that he put together.

So I came to see Rich one day and asked him to invest $10,000 in our company.  I expected that this might have been a battle but, Rich agreed without hesitation to buy stock in our company and that marked the beginning of what would become a highly valued business relationship and personal friendship.

Rich was an important member of our board of directors, and he chaired the board at two different occasions.  When you sit on a corporate board, there are times when you might be faced with decisions that may be in the best interest of the company who’s board you are sitting on but, those decisions may not be in the best interest of the company that you actually own.  The easy way out would be to do what’s best for yourself.  

But, Rich Sexton never took the easy way out.  He started a company when all economic indicators said don’t do it.  Rich ignored them and made Penn Vet Supply an overwhelming success.  And, as a member of our board he had many opportunities to take the easy way out but, he didn’t. 

Whenever Rich was faced with a tough decision he ALWAYS respected his fiduciary responsibility as a board member and officer rather than taking the easy way out and I’d like his family and friends know how I much I respected him for that.

Rich’s word was always good.  If he looked you in the eye and shook your hand, he was a man that stood behind his word.  And that defined Rich Sexton.
 
I had many business meetings and dinners with Rich over the years and during those times we had many private conversations.  Some of the things that I took out of my meetings with him is that I’ll always remember his as being:
1) Driven
2) Extremely competitive
3) A deep thinker
4) A strong leader who was very proud of the employees at Penn Vet Supply
5) Proud of his children and their accomplishments as well as his grandchildren
6) A loyal and devoted husband
7) A guy that I always enjoyed having a cocktail with
8) An unwavering supporter and confidant but, more importantly,
9) Someone I could call a friend

Death is a part of life.    It just happens to be something that is difficult to prepare for.

All of us are different .  Therefore, no two people grieve the same. And while grieving is normal, so is healing.    And it is comforting to know that while many are grieving today, that healing from that grief will follow.

I will be traveling a long way to attend Rich’s memorial service but, I am not planning to attend because Rich Sexton died.   I am planning to attend because he lived.  And he enriched many of the lives of those who worked for him and who he represented in business.

Rich, I’m not telling you goodbye.  I’m just telling you to get some rest and that I’ll see you later.

And in thinking of that I’d like to close with a poem.

It’s called DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP.
By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

Yes, Rich you may have been called to your final home.  And while you may not be with us in the flesh
you will be forever with us in your spirit. 

I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Craig Campbell

I was very surprised to hear of Rich’s death through a phone call from Craig Campbell.  As we were both owners of Vedco companies, Rich and I spent many days and evenings together at veterinary association meetings.  We always seemed to have a good time over dinners and drinks.  Competitors can be friends and I’ll always think of Rich as a friend.

A long time ago Jean and I were making a one of our road trips and stopped by Penn Vet.  Later we picked up pizza and headed to the Sexton house.  I remember one of the boys didn’t want to meet strangers and stayed under his bed.  They did have a love for music and at one time Rich sent me a CD of some songs they recorded. 

The last time I saw Rich was about 4-5 years ago.  We talked about family and his love for his hobby farm in the woods.  I was blessed to have spent time with him.

Respectfully,
Dick & Jean Schmidt

I lost my Mom in 2003 She was only 53yrs of age do to a heart disease what really hit me hard was the fact she died on my Birthday.  I know what it is like to lose a parent i know what u guys are going through Rich was a very nice guy he always greeted who ever he came in contact with he will be missed.
 
 You all have my deepest Sympathy

Rich was a great man, as you already know.  Our deepest sympathy goes to your family.

Melissa Kneisley and Family

On behalf of MWI Veterinary Supply I send prayers and sympathies to Rich’s wife and family along with the Penn Vet Family.  We very much admire what Rich established at Penn Vet and will always appreciate his loyalty to family and friends, his independence and his commitment to serving the veterinary community.  Rich visited MWI in the mid-90s and we reciprocated a year later – we learned from one another.  His vision to serve the veterinary community is expressed well in the office and Penn Vet facility near Lancaster.  Rich was unabashed in his views for what was good for his customers and business.  We will miss him but will not forget his many contributions.

Sincerely,
John J. Francis on behalf of MWI Veterinary Supply

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