Richard L. Atkins

Richard L. “Dick” Atkins, 85, of Leola, passed away on October 3, 2025. He was born in Strasburg Township on July 16, 1940, to his late parents, Floyd and Bessie (Coburn) Atkins. His wife Agnes Katherine (Askins) Atkins survives at home.

Dick is a 1958 graduate of Manheim Township High School. He attended Stevens Trade School for machine shop practice. Dick worked in welding for thirty years, employed by Ross Engineering, Aggregates Equipment, Fredrick Electronics, Champion Blower and Forge. Twenty-four of his thirty years were spent at Goodhart and Sons, Inc. Following his welding career, Dick started Atkins Deck Treatment Service in 1991, which has grown over the years to provide the area with power washing and painting services.

An avid trapper and outdoorsman, Dick worked for the VA Department of Health in 1965 during a rabies epidemic as a fox trapper. His joy of trapping began at age 10, which lead to an interest in the fur buying industry in the early 1960’s. His astute interest in the industry provided the opportunity for him to be the Secretary of the PA Fur Trappers Association in 1967, and hold life memberships in the PA Trappers Association, the Fur Takers of America and the National Trappers Association. His love of the outdoors and trapping has taken him to several distant states in pursuit of furbearers. He has lectured and written on the art of trapping and even met his future bride at a convention.

In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling the world with Agnes. Together they visited, Africa, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Belize, Costa Rica, Canada, several Caribbean Islands and Hawaii.

In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his children, Richard (Rick) Atkins, Jr. and his wife Erika, of Leola, Melisa Sue Hulet and husband Dr. Stanley W. Hulet, of Churchville, MD, grandchildren, Ysabelle Anissa Hulet and her husband Lucianno Matamala, of Bel Air, MD, Cierra Mackenzie Hulet, of Churchville, MD, Anastacia Atkins, of Leola, Christopher Steven Atkins, of Leola and his great grandchildren, Beatrice and Juno Hulet Matamala. He is also survived by his brothers, Floyd Atkins, Jr., of Smithville, PA, and Thomas C. Atkins and his wife Peggy, of Lancaster.

In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother, Jesse William Atkins and his sister, Mary Eleanor Hamilton.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, beginning at 11:00 AM at Leola United Methodist Church, 7 West Main Street, Leola, PA, with Pastor David T. Ryan officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 9 AM until the time of the service. A private inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.