Obituary of Richard C. Apgar

Richard (Rick) Cawley Apgar of Somers, NY died peacefully at home, Saturday, January 20, 2024. He was 90. Rick was born in 1933 to Arthur D. Apgar and Jenevieve Clayton Apgar in Bisbee, AZ.  Before settling in Somers, Rick lived in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He grew up in Scarsdale, NY where he met the love of his life Jillanne Demmon. After earning a degree in agriculture from SUNY Farmingdale, Jill and Rick married in 1955. In 1956 Rick was drafted into the Army with the 176^th AA Missile Battalion. Later, Rick and Jill moved to Hawthorne, NY where they raised 4 children.

A hard worker since childhood, Rick explored all aspects of the lawn and garden trade, including writing a weekly newspaper column and hosting a radio show. Eventually, he started Rick Apgar Sales Company where he used his vast experiences and connections to help farms, schools and agricultural businesses across the region thrive. He later purchased Mill River Supply, a garden store, and a few years later, a wholesale supplier, Metro Milorganite. After selling Metro, he continued working with his other two businesses until the day he died. For almost sixty years Rick was an advocate and active volunteer for Cornell Cooperative Extension. He was a kind and gentle man loved by all. He never stopped being a fantastic father, brother and, “the best grandpa ever,” always sharing his love of the outdoors and other hobbies.

Rick is predeceased by his wife Jill, his parents, his brother Bill Apgar, his grandson Brandon Cole and his great grandson Julian. He is survived by his sister Gail, his brother Arthur, his children Keith Apgar (Sharon), Victoria Stahl (Michael Phillips), Scott Apgar (Jacqueline), Lesley (Lee) Apgar VonElm (Jay Bullard), his grandchildren Caroline Apgar, Kim Apgar, Stuart Jillson; Jeffrey May-Stahl, Joseph John Stahl IV, Olivia Stahl, Jeff Stahl, Christopher Stahl; Richard Apgar II, Todd Apgar; Frankie VonElm, Kyle Von Elm, Cody VonElm, Lulu VonElm, Chelsie VonElm; and his great grandchildren Kellen May-Stahl, Julianna Garvin, Max VonElm, Otto VonElm, Sawyer Sandreuter and Kloe Sandreuter.

Richard was as honest as the day is long, the kindest, friendliest man, always with a big smile on his face. He will be dearly missed.    

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 25th from 2-4 and 7-9pm at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 26th at 10am at St. Joseph's RC Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY 10589.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Cornell Cooperative Extension, 3 West Main Street Suite 112 Elmsford, NY 10523; https://westchester.cce.cornell.edu/ or

One Tree Planted, https://onetreeplanted.org/collections/for-others/products/in-memory