Richard L. Placey

Richard L. Placey, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, accomplished attorney, and retired Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, passed away on May 24, 2025, in West Shore Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Harrisburg in 1930 to the late Ann T. (Matkovic) Placey and Anthony S. Placey, Richard was the grandson of immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, whose legacy of hard work, perseverance and dedication shaped his life.

Raised in Steelton, Pennsylvania, Richard attended St. Mary's Croatian Catholic School and later graduated from Catholic High School in Harrisburg in 1948. He became the first in his family to pursue higher education when he entered Dickinson College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952, and continued to receive his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson College of Law in 1955.

In 1956, just two days after receiving his commission in the United States Navy, Richard married his high school sweetheart Rose Teresa Sawyer. Their union marked the beginning of a 62-year partnership built on love and faith which they passed onto their four children. Rose preceded him in death in 2018.

Richard's life was defined by service—to his profession, his community, and his family. He founded two Harrisburg based law practices, Shumaker and Placey, and thereafter Placey and Wright. Having practiced law for more than 60 years with a widely diverse expertise in criminal and civil matters, as well as, domestic relations, business and non-profit law, Richard chose to focus the later years of his practice on wills, trusts and estate law. He actively assisted the elderly in managing their affairs as well as managing their medical care when they were no longer able to do it themselves.

A member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Camp Hill for more than six decades, he was also a founding member of the St. Thomas More Society and Past President. He is also Past-President of the Dauphin County Bar Association, the Kiwanis Club of Harrisburg, the Tri-County Association for the Blind, and the Tuberculosis-Health Society of Dauphin and Perry counties and member of the American Legion Post 109.

He will be remembered for his integrity, intellect and unwavering support of the New York Yankees, a team he has followed since boyhood.

Richard is survived by children Richard Placey and wife Carol Swanson, Rosanne and husband Michael Sunajko, Thomas Placey and wife Helene, Edward Placey and wife Deb, as well as two granddaughters Madeline and Caroline. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 30 in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3435 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA, 17011 with Rev. Neil S. Sullivan as Celebrant. A Visitation will be held in the Church on Friday, May 30, from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Interment will be held privately at Gate of Heaven, Mechanicsburg.

Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@goodshepherdcamphill2950/streams or https://www.facebook.com/goodshepcamphill/.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Morningstar Pregnancy Services, Bethesda Mission, the Salvation Army, or the St. Francis Soup Kitchen.

Arrangements are provided by Wiedeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.