Richard "Bub" Sites, 97, of Seneca Rocks, WV passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at his home.

Born August 5, 1923 on Brushy Run near Onego, he was the son of the late Curtis D. (1894-1997) and Mamie Vance (1898-1995) Sites.  Richard, a medic at Olmstead Field in PA, served in the Army Air Corps between 1945 and 1947.  His love for the land his Sites and Hinkle ancestors had farmed in Pendleton County since the late 1700s drew him home to WV.  Through his teens, he spent time with his grandmother at the Sites Wayside Inn where his father was born and raised.  At 83 he was mowing and raking hay; he continued to spend time in the fields and pastures until a hip fracture at age 89.  These experiences led him to be quoted in the Autumn 2020 Alpinist/71 , and the Oct. 1976 National Geographic , where the author noted: ". . .you could see the love (of the land) in Richard's eyes every time he leaned on his pitchfork and swept his gaze around the green hills and crags of Seneca Rocks".  The documentary film, "The Cliff-Scaling Soldiers of WV", includes his remembrances of the 1944-45 "Seneca School".  The mettle of the family was tested in November 1985 when the raging North Fork River trapped Richard, his parents, and two brothers upstairs in their home.

Richard was not only a brother, but a best friend to his siblings.  He would take the younger ones to town, treat them to candy and ice cream, and they would help him on the farm.  His nephew, Daris, spent much time during his younger years with Richard, and thought of him as a second father.  Most Saturdays during the last two decades at least four siblings enjoyed the noon meal together.  The presentation to the four Pendleton County brothers in 2018 of the Veteran Quilts of Valor by the Sew and Sews Quilt Guild was another important time of sharing.

He is survived by -

One sister -

Mary Cunningham of Beverly, WV

Four brothers -

Earl Sites (& Mae) of Dollytown, WV

Ward Sites of Seneca Rocks, WV

Bruce Sites of Baker Rocks, WV

Wade Sites of Seneca Rocks, WV (& friend, Lorella Nelson-Mitchell)

Two nephews -

Daris and John

Nine nieces -

Lisa and Lena; Vicki, Dana, Susan and Amy; Cathy and Sandy; and Amanda

Fifteen great nieces and nephews

Several great-great nieces and nephews

And numerous cousins

He was preceded in death by an infant brother; a brother, Guy, and his wife, Greta; a brother-in-law, David Cunningham; two sisters-in-law, Ethel (Harper) Sites and Dorothy (Reel) Sites; a very special friend, Beulah Cook; and his three-legged companion, Tip.

A celebration of Richard's life will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 27 at Yokum's Campground pavilion with Rev. Larry Hakes officiating.  Everyone should wear a mask and bring a chair to allow for appropriate social distancing.

Interment will be at the Good Cemetery located on the Sites' Farm at Seneca Rocks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grant Memorial Hospice, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 2, Petersburg, WV  26847 or Seneca Rocks Vol. Fire Dept., 2242 Allegheny Drive, Seneca Rocks, WV  26884.

After their parents died, Richard lived with Wade.  Wade took excellent care of Richard after he broke his hip. Lorella was always there for them, seeing to their medical needs and taking them to appointments and on frequent Sunday drives. The family thanks her for her care, and also thanks the Hospice and Veterans' Affairs caregivers who grew to love a gentle man.