Richard A. Mathewson, 72, passed away after a long battle with myelofibrosis on October 3, 2018.

Rick was born on March 12, 1946, in Rochester, N.Y. After spending his youth in upstate New York attending Lemoyne College in Syracuse, he did a short stint in the Army before starting his career at Travelers Insurance Company in Cleveland. He also worked for Travelers in Detroit and managed the office in Westport, Connecticut.

After a long career with Travelers, he relocated to Virginia Beach, where he worked as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sentara. When he retired, Rick joined the Great Neck Rec Center and became known as “the mayor.” He became a personal trainer in 2007, started training clients, and soon launched his second career, “Rick’s Fitness.” Helping others feel better about themselves physically through his classes became his passion. He touched more lives and felt he made a difference in this second five-year career than he did in his entire traditional working life.

Within this same year, Rick was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a cancer of the bone marrow. He continued to teach and fight through the disease for five years until he was forced to turn the business over to a friend, who continues to use Rick’s training methods and techniques.

As his illness progressed, Rick turned to golf as his outlet, where he made more wonderful friends.

Rick is survived by his wife Barbara, his six siblings, his 24 nieces and nephews, and countless friends from all over the country.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Broad Bay Country Club on October 28, from 2-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night event on Rick’s webpage, www.lightthenight.org under donate and Barb Mathewson, participant.

Arrangements under the care and direction of Cremation Society of Virginia.