Richard Obituary

Richard John Weinberger, age 64, of Gatlinburg passed away Monday January 24, 2011 at the Norris Health and Rehab Center.
Richard was born January 3, 1947 in Oak Ridge to Arthur Joseph and Esther harper Weinberger. Richard attended St. Mary's School, was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School, and received his Master's in Education from the University of Tennessee. While living in Gatlinburg Richard led Ripley Entertainment's local enterprises as general manager from 1981 to 2002, overseeing the addition of four attractions to the brand here, including the Aquarium of the Smokies. Richard made his first move into management when he was brought on as an assistant manager at the Believe it or Not museum a couple years after starting with Ripley's. He continued to move up the ladder, becoming general manager in charge of all the Tennessee Ripley's ventures in less than a decade. Jim Pattison, Jr. President of Ripley Entertainment Inc. said this about Richard "Make no mistake about it Richard was smart, good in the community, loyal to the company, a strong leader, teacher, trainer, people developer, and marketer that always turned in strong results and really helped grow our businesses in Gatlinburg. He was also difficult, stubborn, grumpy, inflexible, disliked oversight and preferred his own routine which of course just added to his charm, wit and lovability!! In short a real Ripley person!" Richard was always an advocate for Gatlinburg. He served as president of the city's chamber of commerce, Tourism Advisory Board and Attractions Association at various times, and was given the honorary title of Tennessee Colonel from Governor Phil Bredesen for his contribution to tourism in Tennessee. Richard was an avid skier serving as a member of the Gatlinburg Ski Patrol and Ski Rescue Squad. He enjoyed spending time in the mountains hiking and biking and had taken a three month bicycle tour of Europe.
Richard is preceded in death by his father Arthur Joseph Weinberger and is survived by his mother Esther Weinberger of Oak Ridge, his Aunt Jeanne Harper of Surprise, Arizona, cousins Nancy Kehrt and her son Fred of Dayton, Ohio and her daughter Darcy Coxe of Annapolis, Maryland, and close friends Bob Masterson, Peter McIntyre, Ryan DeSears, Greg LeMasters, and Steve and Karin Simms.
Richards's family will receive friends Thursday January 27, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 at Atchley Smokey Mountain Chapel in Pigeon Forge followed by a service with Father Joe Brando officiating.