Obituary of Richard J. Lohmeyer

Richard J. “Dick” Lohmeyer, Richard J. Lohmeyer, 81, of Mount Arlington, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2016, at Compassionate Care Hospice, Dover, holding his wife’s hand as well as her heart. Dick was born October 7, 1935 in Bronx, N.Y., to Francis P. Lohmeyer and Viola Carolan Lohmeyer. Dick lived in Manhasset, N.Y., Livingston, NJ, and grew up mostly in Morristown, N.J. where he attended grammar schools and graduated from Morristown High School in 1954. Friends there described him as a “likeable chap,” which he remained his entire life. He was also the self-proclaimed “class clown,” a roll he perfected. And as others have described him, he was always the “consummate gentleman.” Summers, his favorite times, were spent in early childhood, sailing with his family on City Island N.Y. Later, he sailed Lake Hopatcong from his family’s summer home, first Lightning class boats, then racing his beloved Star boats as a member of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, a for half a century, and of the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association. Dick graduated Lehigh University in 1959, where he was President, and earlier vice president and treasurer of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, professional business fraternity, the Sailing Club, the Interfraternity Greek Council, and the staff of The Brown and White student newspaper. After College, Dick lived in Manhattan, then settling in Morristown before moving to Mt. Arlington, on Lake Hopatcong 30 years ago. Dick’s early career was spent in the paper and printing industries, with the longest term at Westvaco packaging and specialty papers. Later he became prominent in the field of advertising, working for several agencies before establishing his own in the late 1970s. That Morristown-based agency, Lohmeyer Simpson Communications, later Lohmeyer Communications Group, grew to one of the largest in New Jersey. Dick served as President of both. He also served as President of TAAN, a national association of advertising agencies and as a Governor on the Board of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. In 1996 he and his wife, Donna, established a retail store in Morristown - The Golden Pineapple at The Shops at 14 Pine Street. Earlier this year they moved their store closer to home in Mt. Arlington. Dick retired and passed the baton to his daughter, Dara. Besides sailing, Dick enjoyed golf and was a long-time member of Springbrook Country Club, Morristown before moving to Lake Hopatcong. Lake life always held his heart: kayaking, fly fishing, lake and marine photography, and, of course, sailing. In the 1980s and 90s Dick kept a cruising sailboat at Oxford, Md. Weekend and vacation cruises of The Chesapeake and area tributaries were among his fondest memories, ones also cherished by his family. Dick had a caring and giving heart, serving as an early Director of Deirdre’s House, Morristown, donating professional services to The Seeing Eye, and other schools and non-profits too numerous to mention. He gave immense amounts of his time and talents to his daughters’ schools, notable among them Villa Walsh Academy and Assumption School and their town sports teams. He was a great cook, and happily shared this talent with local soup kitchens. Dick was a faithful supporter of BARKS, Byram, NJ. In later years, he rescued, TNRed, fed, fostered, and adopted stray and feral cats many of whom are surely waiting to welcome him home. Dick loved many things, but none more than his children and his beloved grandson, Elijah. He surprised even himself in the way he embraced his role of “Pop,” seeming to be born to it. He played with, nurtured, taught, fed, transported, and loved him. In Dick’s final illness, he was astoundingly brave and always cheerful, never complaining or indulging in self-pity. A long, hard road, he walked it with dignity and grace. He inspired many. Those medical professionals who gave him care often said it was their honor to so do. Many a tear was shed at his end. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Donna Lohmeyer and his devoted daughters, Dina and Dara Ely, and cherished grandson, Elijah Hughes all of Mount Arlington, N.J.; his faithful and loving brother-in-law, Robert Aughey, Jr. and nephews RJ and Ryan Aughey of Stowe, VT; and a son by a prior marriage, Judson Lohmeyer of California. Dick also leaves many beloved friends and family, so many of whom lent so much support during this past year. Most notable among them are John Galdieri and Tim Higgins of Convent Station, N.J. and Linda Widuta and family of Denville, N.J. Dick was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Robert F. Lohmeyer of Morristown, N.J. and a sister-in-law, Jan Bernasconi Aughey of Stowe, VT. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6, 2016, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a funeral service on Wednesday December 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph, NJ www.tuttlefh.com. “Fair Winds and Following Seas”, dear heart.