Letter to the Editor: Ken Richter, Luther Towers director and great man, will be missed

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On June 25, Delaware lost a tremendous asset: Irvin Kenneth Richter.

I first met Ken when I joined the Rotary Club in Dover many decades ago. We became friends, but we lost touch, as I moved to Florida for 23 years.

However, upon my return, after several disastrous personal decisions, I found that I qualified to apply to live at Luther Towers. I applied and was accepted, and I have lived there since 2014. Here, I met Ken Richter again, helping to “guide the ship” of Luther Towers and Luther Village.

These residences are U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-financed living facilities for older folks with limited incomes.

The team running the facilities is top-notch! I am extremely fortunate and grateful to be here; they do a super job in every aspect of maintaining the facility and helping us as they can.

But one person was a standout: Ken Richter! As his obituary states: “Since 1979, he has been instrumental in organizing, conceptualizing, and putting much energy and life into seven buildings in Dover known as Luther Towers and Luther Village of Dover, which provide Delaware’s low-income seniors a safe, pleasant environment in which to live. He served in many capacities including President of the Board of Directors to Director, to Deputy Director to advisor, up until as recent as 2 weeks before his death this June. Luther Village III, the last building to be built, was Ken’s “baby,” his own concept, and was dedicated to him, and is presently known as the ‘I. Kenneth Richter’ building.”

About four years ago, I saw Ken walking the grounds, so I asked him: “Are you getting some exercise?” He replied: “Well, no, I am just looking around to see if there is anything that can be improved.”

That was the kind of man he was, always looking to make life better for us.

Yes, Delaware lost a tremendous asset when we lost Irvin Kenneth Richter.

Ken Abraham

Dover

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