WAYNESBORO – A Waynesboro fixture and public servant known to most as “Mayor Dick” died Friday, leaving behind a legacy of small-town values, charity and commitment to public safety. Richard “Dick” Starliper was 87.
“I’ve never seen anyone love a job as much as he loved being mayor,” said Patrick E. Fleagle, a current Waynesboro Borough Council member, former mayor and former state representative.
Starliper served as Waynesboro’s mayor for 19 years. Prior to that, he did two stints as a council member. His role as mayor gave him oversight of the Waynesboro Police Department as well as the authority to perform marriage ceremonies.
“He was a quintessential small-town mayor,” Councilman Dade Royer said. “He knew everyone, and he cared about the community.”
Starliper strongly embraced the community’s annual Memorial Day parade and service at Memorial Park, where he would offer remarks about the solemnity of the day. He was a fixture at many other events – from ribbon-cutting ceremonies to open houses to concerts.
A widower, Starliper regularly spoke proudly of his daughters and community. The 1955 graduate of Waynesboro High School enjoyed golfing and participating in reunions of the high school’s Tribesmen choir. He was active in Faith United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club of Waynesboro, CROP Hunger Walk and the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce.
The Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association presented Starliper with the Albert N. “Abbie” Montecalvo Award in 2020 to recognize his service to his hometown.
“Dick was a friend, a neighbor, and an advocate for our community and police department,” Council President C. Harold Mumma said in a statement released by the borough.
Fleagle knew Starliper when they both worked at Landis Tool Co. and particularly enjoyed seeing him in recent years at Rotary meetings.
“He really lightened the place up,” Fleagle said. “He was involved in everything. He showed up for everything and was very faithful.”
Royer said Starliper took a seat by the door to shake everyone’s hand as they entered Rotary meetings.
“He was the unofficial weekly greeter at Rotary,” he said.
Starliper had talked for years with Royer about Royer’s role in local government, including an ongoing campaign for the mayor position Starliper was preparing to vacate later this year. Royer described “Mayor Dick” as providing encouragement, talking about the structure of meetings, and offering advice about what is truly important.
“I’m really going to miss him,” Royer said.
Information about funeral services was not immediately available.
