Richard N. Best

Richard N. ("Dick") Best, 89, of Levittown, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2022, at Chandler Hall Hospice after a brief illness. Dick had 69 happy years of marriage with the love of his life, Isabel (Kozen), until her death in 2020. He was also predeceased by his son Ronald, and his sisters Norma Tobin and Peggy Kline.

Dick is survived by five children and their spouses: Richard (Hope), Jeffrey (Rosemary Durkin), Lisa (Lewis Pease), Kenneth, and Christine. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and their spouses: Travis (Jillian), Colin (Missy), Michael (Cathryn Carrubba), and Deirdre (Joseph Weidenboerner) Best; and Matthew and Thomas Pease. Dick was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Nathaniel, Emily, Charlotte, and Jude. He is also survived by his brother Cecil (Virginia).

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Dick earned his electronic physics degree at La Salle College, now La Salle University. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1955. After starting two companies, Deltronic Labs and Automated Control Equipment, Dick founded Richard N. Best Associates, Inc. in 1972, providing sales, installation and service of parking and access control equipment.

During his career, Dick received numerous awards and was active in several professional organizations. Dick was a registered Professional Engineer in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He was an active member of the International Parking Institute (IPI) and received their 2001 President's Award. He was a Fellow Life Member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and served as International Director, President of ITE District 2, President of the Mid-Atlantic Section, and for four years as Chairman of the Philadelphia Area ITE Activities. Dick was also active in the National Society of Professional Engineers, the International Council of Parking Consultants, and the Bucks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.

While his children were growing up in Levittown, Dick coached their baseball and softball teams with the Middletown Athletic Association. He was also a proud member of the Levittown Lions Club.

Although he enjoyed considerable career success, Dick was happiest when he was with family and friends, whether holiday dinners, country line dancing, travel to Maine and other places with Jack and Brigitte Krauss, and especially the annual family trip to Long Beach Island.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Dick's memory on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at James Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, Pennsylvania. Visitation will begin at 11 am with services at 12 noon, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The family requests that anyone attending the visitation or services wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Mary's Cupboard (100 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, PA 19054; 215-945-2550) or Queen of the Universe Catholic Church (2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056; 215-945-8750).