Richard G. Draude

Richard George Draude, 93, passed away peacefully at Misericordia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in York, Pennsylvania on March 26.

Born January 12, 1924 in Lancaster, the only son of the late George and Anna (Rosenberg) Draude, he was a 1942 graduate of McCaskey Senior High School and then went into the army, serving during WWII. After the war, he graduated from Franklin and Marshall College on the GI bill in 1949.

In 1955, Richard and his partner, Virgil Blondy Gross, were appointed the Clark Equipment dealer covering 26 counties of central Pennsylvania. Together, they formed Forklifts, Inc.

A former colleague recalls that what began as a dealership of seven employees increased to 100, and USD13 million in sales, by the time Dick sold the business in 1984.

The greatly expanded business continues today under the Equipment Depot banner.

After retiring from Forklifts, Inc., he remained interested in keeping up with his business friends and sharing those stories with his sons.

Richard is survived by two sons, Theodore Draude and wife Patrice of Mountville and Manhattan, MT and Thomas Draude and wife Kim of Mechanicsburg; six grandchildren, Jennie, Sarah, Katherine, Jeremy, Ezra and Jesse; and three great-grandchildren, Evee, Delaney and Jameson.

A service to celebrate Richard's life was held on April 1 at Advent Lutheran Church in York.