Richard Lee Aide
Richard Lee Aide, 82, of Ronceverte, WV, passed away peacefully on May 22 at Peyton Hospice House, surrounded by family.
Born on January 23, 1943, in Rainelle, WV, Richard was one of seven children of Helen and George Aide. His childhood, surrounded by the mountains and streams of Appalachia, instilled in him a lifelong love of the outdoors. Many snowy and cold winter mornings, you could find Richard checking his traps along the nearby Meadow River before school. Come spring, he’d spend hours fishing a tiny, remote stream — an experience he fondly recalled in a recent interview:
“I’d catch six or seven trout, and Mom would fry them for breakfast for my Dad and us kids. I felt like a hero, because Dad really loved those trout. That was a big deal for me.”
Richard attended Rainelle Elementary before enrolling in Hargrave Military Academy. Following graduation, he joined the Army Reserve for a six-year commitment and returned home to work in his father’s business, Aide’s Discount Store, Inc., in Fairlea, WV. With his vision and dedication, Richard played a pivotal role in expanding the business from a single location to four stores and four shopping centers across two states. For over six decades, he helped lead the family businesses, creating jobs and making a lasting impact on his community.
He was a passionate supporter of local charitable efforts. It was important to Richard that Aide’s Discount Store help Penny Pitch provide clothing and toys to those in need.
Richard was a natural leader and communicator. His wit and humor made him beloved by customers, colleagues, and friends. He had the gift of telling the funniest stories that would have you rolling in the aisle.
Richard’s adventurous spirit took him across North America and beyond. He hunted and fished in some of the most rugged, remote places on Earth. His most legendary expedition was to Kodiak, AK, where he successfully hunted the elusive Alaskan Brown Bear—an animal known for its size and ferocity. The towering bear, once displayed in the Fairlea store, standing over 9 feet tall, became a major attraction for local shoppers and visitors.
Beyond the wilderness, Richard developed an interest in skydiving — though not without incident. On one jump, his parachute deployed prematurely inside the open cockpit of the aircraft:
“It was just instantaneous,” described Richard. “I wasn’t pulled out of the plane through the doorway. Instead, my head and shoulders crashed through the door frame, and the rest of my body ripped through the side of the plane. I took about two feet of the door frame and side panel with me.”
Though bruised and battered, Richard landed safely in a woman’s front yard in Ronceverte, much to her shock:
“She came out the front door screaming, ‘Plane crash! Plane crash!’” laughed Richard.
Miraculously, the damaged plane — carrying the pilot and Richard’s fellow skydivers — made it back to the airport safely.
Those close to Richard also knew him as a voracious reader, a shrewd investor, and an instigator of high jinks; but above all, he cherished his friends and his large, fun-loving family. He always looked forward to time spent with them at the Aide family home, Red Oaks Farm; his cabin on Ishi Valley Farm; and during countless hilarious hunting and fishing excursions. The storytelling, laughter, and love they shared brought him immense joy. After being diagnosed with appendiceal cancer, he faced his illness with gratitude and grace, telling his loved ones:
“I’m so lucky to have the time to say goodbye to everyone and tell them I love them.”
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, George Andrew Aide, Jr.; and his brother-in-law, Ron Gore. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pamela O’Neil Aide; his daughter, Townley Aide Hamilton, and her husband, Lawson “Trip” W. Hamilton III; his son, Richard Matthew Aide; and his grandson, Lawson W. Hamilton IV. He also leaves behind his siblings: Andy Pendleton (Randy), Mike Aide (Carla), Nancy Gore, Gary Aide (Sandy), and Cherie Austin (Jeff); along with many nieces and nephews.
The Aide-Hamilton family extends heartfelt thanks to Richard’s caregivers and dearest friends who visited, called, and sent kind words during his final months. Reflecting on all the love, laughter, and attention, Richard often said he was “surrounded by angels.”
Knowing how Richard loved to attend parties, the family will host a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
• Penny Pitch, 383 Alderson St., Lewisburg, WV 24901
• Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Ave, Lewisburg, WV 24901
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements
