Obituary of Richard J. Sinkovitz

On December 7, 2021, Richard John Sinkovitz passed away at the Lovelace Medical Center, in Albuquerque, NM, after a two-month battle with complications from diabetes. Both of his children were at his side. He had just moved to Santa Fe, NM, to be near his son and his family. Formerly, Richard had resided in Amelia Island, FL, and in Laurel and Silver Spring, MD. Born on March 26, 1938, in Harrisburg, PA, to parents Meade and Christine Sinkovitz (Deceased), Richard was raised by his grandparents, Mary and Frank Sinkovitz (Deceased). Also preceding him in death were his godmother, Mitzie Vugrinec, and godfather, John “Si” Sinkovich. In 1956, Richard graduated from Bishop McDevitt Catholic High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in science and mathematics from St. Mary’s College, in Emmitsburg, MD. He later attended West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and then Marshall University, in Huntington, WV, earning a Master’s degree in organic chemistry. In his professional life, Richard worked as a research chemist for DuPont, in Parkersburg, WV, and later joined American Cyanamid in the Process Development and Improvement Laboratory. He continued his career for the next thirty years as an educator, teaching chemistry and other science-related classes at Springbrook High School, in Montgomery County, MD. Richard loved teaching chemistry as well as his life as an educator. As a life-long hobby, Richard collected Lionel trains, attended train shows, and set up train displays in his home for many years at Christmas. He loved his family—“his dynasty”—and took great pleasure in their accomplishments, delighting in all the time spent with them. During his retirement years, he enjoyed his move to Lakeside Amelia, in FL, where he appreciated his independence and his many new friendships. Surviving Richard are his daughter Andrea Clayton and her husband Jason, of Wheaton, IL; his son Richard Sinkovitz and his wife Monica, of Santa Fe, NM; and five grandchildren: David Clayton, Jonathan Clayton, Matthew Clayton, Zachery Clayton, and Miranda Sinkovitz. Also surviving are a special cousin Barbara Henry, several other cousins, and half siblings in PA. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, on Friday, December 17 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, in Harrisburg, PA—Richard’s home parish from baptism until he left Harrisburg for graduate school. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, in Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project.