Richard L. Musselman, 79, of Emmaus, died peacefully Oct. 18, 2023, in Lehigh Valley Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He was the husband of the late Wendy J. (James) Musselman for 33 years. Born in Quakertown, he was the son of the late Raymond W. and Bertha May (Dewees) Musselman.

He graduated from Slatington High School in 1962 and earned his Bachelor’s of Education (1966) and Master’s of Education (1970) from Kutztown State College.

He was a German teacher for 35 years at Brandywine Heights High School where he met his wife, the school librarian. He served as the teachers’ union president in the 1970s.

Following his retirement in 2001, he was an adjunct professor of German at Moravian College, Muhlenberg College and Penn State Lehigh Valley for a total of 45 years in the classroom. In addition to German, he loved Pennsylvania German and was a member of three Grundsau Lodges, serving on the Raad (board of directors) for Lodge #13. He was the author of a book and audiobook to encourage learning and speaking the dialect.

He was an active member of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church and enjoyed reading in church, especially in German from the Schlatter Bible.

He never missed the first day of trout season and was a longtime member of the Alburtis Rod & Gun Club and Upper Milford Field & Stream.

He was an enthusiastic sports fan, especially of his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, and had encyclopedic knowledge of sports trivia. He was active with the East Penn Democrats, volunteering for political campaigns and participating in events supporting social justice causes.

He loved travel and visited 36 countries and 42 states. He appreciated theater and regularly attended Broadway shows and was a subscriber to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival since 1994. He enjoyed camping, driving his roadster and hosting game nights.

He is survived by a daughter, Jenna and her husband, David Yott; grandchildren, Ingrid Jill, Theodore James; brother, David and his wife, Bernice; beloved companion of 13 years, Roseann Smoyer; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by a brother, Ray.

Contributions may be made to Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Oct. 25 in Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Road, Allentown, 18103. Viewing 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 25 in the church. Arrangements were made by the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus.