Richard Thomas Kopetan DDS

Richard Thomas Kopetan, DDS Richard Thomas Kopetan passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He was the supreme master of challenging whatever life threw his way. It was often said that he had nine lives. Some argue that it may have been more like eighteen. Known as “Dick” or “Doc” to most everyone, Richard was born on April 19, 1930, to Alta Dodd Kopetan and Thomas Kopetan in Lock Haven PA. He was industrious from the start, helping his mother with her boarding houses, selling vacuum cleaners door to door, and working in many roles at the Lock Haven Express. Upon graduation from Lock Haven High School, Dick attended Lock Haven State Teachers College for three years before enlisting in the US Air Force in 1950. On Valentine’s Day 1954, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Troutman. They stayed at Mountain Home Air Force Base until his discharge in September of that year. College graduation followed, and then it was off to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. As a new dentist, Dick and Dolores settled in Towanda because he found the town to be so welcoming. Dick often said that there was no place better to practice because he was supported by everyone who lived and worked here. He practiced in Towanda, first as a general dentist and then as an orthodontist, for 40 years. Sixty-six years after arriving in Towanda, Dick still said the same thing about the place he called home. He loved it here. Dick didn’t really have an “off button”. He was always interested in learning new things. In his later years, he took online courses, watched YouTube videos, and remained interested in world events. Dick was an avid sportsman. He spent his entire life hunting all kinds of big game and birds. He was an excellent skeet shooter and took home many 25, 50 and 100-straight patches. He also spent a great deal of time tying flies and fishing for trout along his favorite stream. He loved building furniture in his workshop. Dick was constantly perfecting his lawn, where even one stubborn dandelion would send him into distress! Landscaping projects were always on the drawing board, and hand-laid stone walls were never straight enough. He was a diehard Pitt Panther football fan, and seldom missed a game, whether in person, watching on TV or iPad, or even listening on his pickup truck radio. Dick’s much-anticipated fireplace season came with even the slightest hint of cool weather. Endless fires were built in his trusty fireplace by those who had been personally taught how to build the “perfect fire”. For the past six years, Dick was blessed with wonderful caregivers who made sure he stayed active in the world and often served as his apprentice landscapers. They have become like family to us all. Ladies, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for your love and compassion. Surviving are Dick’s daughters Lisa Foscone of Annapolis MD and Shawn Wilson (Mark) of Belvidere NJ, son David Kopetan (Angela) of Towanda, grandsons Patrick McMinn (Kara), Nathaniel Wilson, Robert Kopetan and Benjamin Kopetan, and great-grandson August McMinn. Dick’s wife Dolores Kopetan, sister Bertha Henley, brother Bobby Kopetan and granddaughter Quinn Kopetan predeceased Dick and await him in Heaven. Friends are invited to celebrate Dick’s remarkable life on Friday, January 30 at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Avenue, Towanda. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 AM, with a service immediately following. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pitt Student-Athlete Success Fund at https://pittsburghpanthers.evenue.net/give, Sayre Sportsmen’s Club at P.O. Box 141, Athens PA 18810, Ducks Unlimited at https://give.ducks.org/campaign/643313/donate or an organization of your choice. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Richard Thomas Kopetan DDS

April 19, 1930 - January 13, 2026

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Richard Thomas Kopetan DDS

April 19, 1930 - January 13, 2026

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information