Richard Lane was born on December 21, 1928 to the late Evelyn Cabbell Lane and Atlas T. Lane in Philadelphia, PA. While in his teens Richard accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. After graduating from West Philadelphia High School he spent seven years in the United States Air Force. Richard later entered Howard University’s school of Engineering where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in electrical engineering. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Zeta Omicron Lambda Chapter). He was employed by Burroughs Corporation in Paoli, PA and Philco Ford in Philadelphia. He worked for over thirty years with the federal government. He was a project engineer for the Army and a development engineer for the Naval Air Development Center. During his career Richard received numerous awards as an outstanding employee. He earned a master’s degree in math and science from Penn State University. Richard was always very active in his church. His involvement included ushering, a trustee board member, a scholarship committee member, and a member of the video ministry.
He was a kind and thoughtful man who loved people. Many described him as laid back, loyal, and dependable. His hobbies included viewing sports, sketching, model ship building, listening to classical and jazz music, reading, and spending time with his family. Richard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Georgene. When she became disabled he became her devoted care-taker. He is also survived by his daughter Jacquelyn Lane Middleton (Rev. Kendall), his son Richard Lane, Jr. (Jillian), his grandchildren: Joshua, Khalib, Jaydah Middleton, and Avery Lane, his step-mother Elva Lane, his brother Barry Lane, his sisters Debra Lane Childs and Sherry Lane Long, his Nephew Gregory Lane (Ilmon), his niece Shala Lane Yancey (Yancey), his uncle Robert Cabbell (Estelle), his cousin Rev. Walter W. Scruggs (Anna), his sister-in-law Edwina Wright Davis (Thomas), his closest friend Robert Brooks, along with many family members and friends.