Blauser

Richard F. Blauser, 81, of Parker, formerly of Penn Hills, died at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at Elmcroft of Saxonburg following an illness.

Born June 28, 1928, in Parker, he was son of late James P. and Bessie Gear (Seth) Blauser.

An all-star basketball player at the former Eau Claire Academy High School, he enjoyed telling everyone he graduated eighth in his class and later said there were nine in his class.

In the Penn Hills area, he was a member of Plasterers Local 31 of Pittsburgh for more than 38 years, where he also was union representative during his tenure in the union. Also, in the Pittsburgh area, he worked as a private detective for several years.

In 1970, he founded Tri-State Hardwoods of which he served as president until retiring in 1995. Many of his deals were founded on a handshake as he felt a man's word was his bond.

Rich bought, repaired and sold real estate, as well as bought, collected and sold antiques much of his adult life. He was a noted authority on firearms of all types, but especially Kentucky rifles, a true passion. He was a "horse trader" in the truest sense of the term, and once actually traded a horse for a gun.

Rich was a trophy deer hunter in the truest sense, and enjoyed hunting in all seasons. He was a past president of the Wilkinsburg Sportsmen Club, where he was both a gun and archery instructor. Rich was never happier than being outdoors, be it hunting, fishing or just exploring.

He was a member of the Parker City-Allegheny Valley F.&A.M. Lodge 521 at Parker and a member of the Knight's Templar.

Rich was long affiliated with the Six Points Church of God of Prophecy at Six Points, near Eau Claire.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley V. Blauser, who he married Aug. 6, 1949; three sons, Richard J. (Diane) of Penn Hills, Steve of Gibsonia, and William "Bill" of Monroeville; three grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Shirley (Robert) Pearce of Emlenton; a brother, Kenneth (Shirley) Blauser of Parker; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, these siblings preceded him in death, Alfetta Baker, Dolly McCullough, Joann Best, Maxine Kelly, Louise Steigletz, and Clifford, William, Pershing, Glenn and Robert Blauser.

<B>BLAUSER</B> — Friends of Richard F. Blauser, who died Wednesday, April 14, 2010, may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, 201 S. Washington St., Eau Claire. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Six Points Church of God of Prophecy, two miles east of Eau Claire on Route 58, with the Rev. Brent McMasters, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Scrubgrass Cemetery.Masonic Lodge 521 will conduct memorial service at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.Information is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.