The Butler County business community is mourning the death of a former prominent businessman this week.

Peter Richdale of Whitehall, Pa., died Tuesday at the age of 70.

Richdale served two terms as president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and was an active member in the Rotary Club of Butler for more than two decades.

He also served on boards of the Salvation Army, the Downtown Butler Association and Easter Seals and was a co-founder of the Butler Area Merchants Association.

While he was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in Somerville, N.J., Richdale made a name for himself in Butler.

His work with the Rotary brought him praise from his peers.

“Pete was Mr. Rotary as far as I'm concerned,” said Butler County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton. “He would always put service above himself.”

Richdale was president of the club in 1994-95 and was awarded the Outstanding President Award for his district.

Ron Vodenichar, who served with Richdale in the Rotary, said Richdale was the hardest working Rotarian he had ever met.

“Pete was a first-class gentleman and a true business professional,” said Vodenichar, co-publisher and general manager of the Butler Eagle. “He was so active throughout the community helping to start new community ventures and to be the glue that held varying segments of the community together for the common good.”

Pinkerton said he first met Richdale in 1980 when Richdale was the manager of the Sears department store in the Clearview Mall.

“He was a very fine businessman,” Pinkerton said. “And he had a great wife behind him in Jody.”

After leaving Sears, Richdale owned and operated the Sir Speedy printing store on Main Street for more than a decade before his retirement.

Jennifer Linn, a lawyer with the Linn Law Firm in Butler, said she knew Richdale through the Rotary.

“He was a great man,” she said. “He really showed me what it is to give back to the community.”

Jay Shaffer, a financial services professional in the city, said he had good memories of working alongside Richdale at the chamber.

“Pete was a very community-minded guy,” Shaffer said. “And very intelligent.”

Shaffer said he credits Richdale to helping jump-start his career in financial services after leaving the hospitality field.

“Pete had a major influence on my career change 21 years ago,” he said. “I will always appreciate his guidance and suggestions.”

Shaffer said he was always impressed by Richdale's dedication to the community.

“He was someone who took a lot of time to advocate for causes he believed in,” he said.

While Richdale was a leader in the business community, he also was an inspiration outside his work.

Richdale was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1981 and received organ donations in 1993 and 1999.

Pinkerton said Richdale was always courageous about his health issues.

“He always had a desire to keep moving forward,” he said.

Vodenichar said Richdale's character was highlighted during those times.

“He set an amazing example for others needing organ transplants as well as being a true champion of the cause to recruit donors,” he said.

“He was a noble, kind and generous leader for Downtown Butler. We need a few more business people just like him.”

Funeral services were being held in New Jersey under the arrangement of the Higgins & Bonner Funeral Home in Westfield, N.J.