Richard Emil Lach, 86, of Anderson, SC and East Hanover, NJ, passed gently into the night under the light of a harvest moon, on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 12:15 am.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Emil R. Lach and Helen D. Lach of Livingston, NJ.

He is survived by his sister, Eileen (Mike) Cummins of Anderson, SC; niece, Tracy Cummins of Cypress, Tx; nephew, Michael (Mandie and Campbell Grace) Cummins of Alpharetta, GA.; niece, Kerry Lach Barile and great-niece Emersyn Rose Barile of Brooklyn, NY; and cousin, Colleen Gehrmann (Thomas and family) of Cary, NC.

Richard was a Local Union #164 IBEW electrician in New Jersey during his working years. He was married for 30 years to Janice Ruth Freeman Lach. Together they had many interests. From being founding members of the North Jersey Porsche Club to both pursuing and earning their wings to fly their Cessna airplane to events and gatherings up and down the east coast. Their leisure time, and the place they loved best, was spent at their camp along the Delaware River at the Water Gap between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Adventurers and travelers, they managed to "see the USA" and added collecting aviation and military history along the way. Richard's recent transfer by air from New Jersey to South Carolina aboard a medically fitted Lear Jet gave him a last view from the air of the earth he loved so well. It was surely his best last memory.

Richard is now at peace after a valiant struggle for many months with a failing body, but a sharp mind. He was a kind and decent man; polite and friendly to everyone whose path he crossed. A gentle and loving soul who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

The family will host a gathering to honor the life of Richard Lach on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the McDougald Family Center, 2303 North Main Street, Anderson, SC.