Dr. Richard Reynoldson Butterworth, Sr.

Dr. Richard Reynoldson Butterworth, Sr., "Dick, Doc, or Dedoc", passed away in the early morning of October 26, 2024, at the age of 88, after a short illness. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Peggy, in August 2020. Dick was born in Richmond, and then grew up in Fairmont, NC, graduated from the University of Richmond (where he met Peggy), and the Medical College of Virginia, and moved to Dinwiddie, in 1963, to set up his dental practice. During his nearly 40 years of practice, Doc was often the only dentist in the county. But that was just his job. What Doc loved, in equal measure, were kids and sports. Doc spent his life supporting Dinwiddie youth sports, coaching, setting up leagues and teams, reporting on Dinwiddie High School sports for the local paper, The Monitor (along with Peggy as photographer), and running the clock for football, basketball, and wrestling events. His many efforts on behalf of the youth of Dinwiddie were recognized when he was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the annual Dinwiddie Christmas Parade, another community activity he had organized and supported. Doc combined his love for God and love for sports through his longtime commitment to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Over the seven years Doc lived at Dogwood Village, in Orange, VA, he was known for his sense of humor, his good nature and singing songs like Tutti Frutti and Blueberry Hill. He loved singing in the choir at Lebanon United Methodist, fishing in Huck and Mac's ponds, playing guitar and singing silly songs, dancing the Carolina shag, family vacations at Topsail Beach, and being with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Dick is survived by his brother, Dr. Thomas Rives Butterworth, Jr.; his sister, Martha Minton; sons, Richard Reynoldson Butterworth, Jr. (Janelle), Thomas Lee Butterworth (Patty), Michael Rives Butterworth (Debbie), and William Barrett Butterworth; his grandchildren, Emily, Meg, Benjamin, Reyn, and Kate; and many nieces and nephews. After a short family graveside service at the Butterworth Family Cemetery, Butterworth, VA, there will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Lebanon United Methodist Church, 12450 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddie, Virginia 23841. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doc's name to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, (https://www.fca.org/donate) or to Dinwiddie County High School - Athletics Department. The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.