Richard Schlack II

Richard Brining Schlack II of Martinsburg, WV and formerly of Sterling, VA passed away on Thursday Sept. 22, 2022, at the Hospice of the Panhandle inpatient facility in Kearneysville following a long illness.

Rick was born in Martinsburg, WV on Aug. 2, 1949, and spent his younger years in Shepherdstown. He later moved to Martinsburg and graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1967.

After graduation, he enlisted in the West Virginia Air National Guard and served proudly as a medic, he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1976. Following his service he worked as a respiratory therapist at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, MD. He embarked on a new chapter in his career as a homecare respiratory therapist in 1981, moving his family to Sterling, VA, where he lived until his retirement. After retiring, Rick returned to his hometown of Martinsburg, where he had the opportunity to connect with many old friends.

Rick married Margaret Elizabeth “Libby” Myers on Sept. 19, 1970, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Libertytown, MD. Just before his passing, Rick and Libby celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. They raised three children, Christian, Robert, and Erika, and in later years were blessed with six grandchildren. Rick enjoyed cooking, specifically on the grill, and was an avid NASCAR fan. Prior to his illness and disability, he was his family’s go to handyman, capable of building, renovating, or repairing virtually anything. He particularly enjoyed auto mechanics and spent many hours in his younger days under the hood of the family vehicles.

In addition to his wife Libby, Rick is survived by his mother Jean Eriksen of Martinsburg WV, his son Christian Schlack and wife Bernadeth of Bunker Hill, WV, his son Robert Schlack of Martinsburg, WV and his daughter Erika Schlack of Sterling, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristine, Christopher, Ashley, Victoria, Aiden, and Hailey, all of whom were the light of his life. He was preceded in death by his father Richard Schlack, stepfather Hans Eriksen, and grandparents Robert and Ruth Barbour.

The family would like to thank the dedicated and compassionate professionals at Hospice of the Panhandle for their care towards the end of Ricks illness.

A memorial service was held at Browns Funeral Home at 3 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 29, 2022, with Dr. Cary Johnson officiating. Internment was private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle in his memory.