Richard Irving Gold

As a teenager Richard used his family’s lawn mower to earn spending money from people in the neighborhood and to save for college. Then when in college he worked part time for NASA earning the funds to support his college education. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in physics. While working for various US Government agencies, he completed his Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama.

Richard married Penelope (Penny) Hurley in 1966. They had two children – Patrick (Gold) and Pamela (Reintges).

Richard had served as a deacon for many years at the Grace Baptist Church in Bryan’s Road, Maryland, where he and Penny were active members.

He is predeceased by his father Irving Gold, his mother A. Rachel Gold, his brother Allen Gold, and a grandson Tayte Compton.

In his retirement, it was a passion of Richard’s to write poetry. This was something that his mother loved, and Richard also developed a love for it. He published many topic-related books of poems he had written throughout his retirement. Of note, when Richard would sign his poem books, along with his name, he would use the statement – Praise the Lord!

Another passion of Richard’s was working with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of Maryland/Delaware where he had volunteered many hours traveling to areas that were devastated by various disasters to help families in rebuilding and recovery.

Survivors include his wife, Penny Gold; son Patrick Gold, Patrick’s wife Mindy, and grand-daughter MaKenna; daughter Pamela Reintges and grand-daughter Katie; grandson Justin Gold, and granddaughter Rene Gold. Survivors also include Richard’s sister Cynthia Hurley, nephew Sean Hurley, grandson Colton Polson, and grand-daughter Krystle Polson.

Visitation will be Friday, March 21, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the service will begin at 4 p.m. The funeral service will be officiated by Worship Pastor Frank Mercer of The Living Cornerstone Church in Port Orange. This will be held at the Volusia Memorial Funeral Home in Port Orange, located at 4815 S. Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange, FL 32129. Burial will take place on Saturday, March 22, at 1 p.m., at the Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, Florida.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, please donate in Richard's memory to the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of Maryland/Delaware. This was the organization that both Richard and his wife (Penny) supported and volunteered in for many years. You may donate online at Give | Baptist Convention of Maryland & Delaware.

Rest in Peace, Richard, you have been a good and faithful servant all of your life and you have shared your faith through your poems and your work. Praise the Lord!