PAOLI, Pa.--Richard McAllister Ogden, a familiar face on the National Steeplechase Association circuit who went on to become a steward, passed away on Nov. 30 at age 92 at Paoli Hospital in Pennsylvania.
Dick OgdenKnown as Dick to his many friends, the West Chester resident was passionate about racing and spent many afternoons at Parx and Delaware Park.
He enjoyed steeplechasing and was an National Steeplechase Association member.
He became a racing steward and traveled up and down the east coast attending many steeplechase meets. officiating at many meets.
"He wouldn't fly," said Carl J. (Bunny) Meister. "He drove to all the steeplechase meets, even to the Carolinas."
"Dick was a close friend," said Meister. "I played a lot of golf with him. When we had a golf cart, he always wanted to drive. He was a wonderful guy. He was very involved in sports."
Golf was an avid interest.
He was a former member of the Coatesville Country Club and was the 1968 Club Champion and golfer of the year at the club.
"He didn't fox hunt, but his daughter Devon Williams rode in pony races when she was growing up," said Meister.
ANOTHER one of his joys included watching his granddaughter Devon participate in horse shows.
Born May 28, 1930 in Marshallton, Pa., Dick was the son of Even Lewis and Edith McAllister Ogden.
He was married to the late Jane Ann Ogden for 58 years.
He was a 1949 graduate of West Chester High School, then joined the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Enrico.
After the Navy he became a founding partner in Chester County Opticians, a career that lasted many years.
Dick is survived by his children, Diane Williams and her husband, Geoffrey; Susan Cappello and her husband, Paul; grandchildren Devon Arsalan, wife of Dr. Amir Arsalan; Afton Cordoba, wife of Tim Cordoba; Dana Cappello; Vincent Cappello; and great granddaughter, Carter Cordoba.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arbour Square of West Chester for their kind and compassionate care of our father.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held in the Spring.
