Richard D. Bishoff, Jr.
Richard D. Bishoff, Jr., 64, of Charleston, West Virginia, peacefully passed away on May 25, 2026.
Rich was born and raised in Oakland, Maryland, and was a 1979 graduate of Southern High School. He attended West Virginia University, served his apprenticeship at Bartlett Burdette Cox Funeral Home in Charleston, and then went on to graduate with honors (Magna Cum Laude) from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in January of 1987. He was the president of his class and was awarded the Mu Sigma Alpha award for academic, citizenship, and character excellence.
He received his introduction to the funeral business by working evenings and weekends at a funeral home, starting at the age of 16. His grandfather and great grandfather were Morticians and owned Markwood Funeral home; established in the late 1800’s up until 1960, in Keyser, WV. Rich was currently serving as the LIC Funeral Director and Embalmer at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, where he had been since 2018. For Rich, serving his community in the Funeral Industry was a calling and a gift from the Lord. He was a very talented Embalmer and provided care and kindness to all the families he served over his lifelong career.
He was a member of the River Ridge Church, where he was a leader of one of two greeting teams, and served in other capacities over the years.
Rich was continuously active in his community through coaching little league, travel softball teams, and as the George Washington High School Assistant Softball Coach. After his daughters left home, he continued to serve as Assistant Softball Coach at Horace Mann Middle School, where he, as well, was a mentor and reading coach.
Rich is a former board member of The Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home. He had been active with HospiceCare since 2002, where he served on the board of directors until 2012, and was made a board member emeritus. He went back on the board and continued to serve HospiceCare by providing CEU training for RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s, and their Social Workers.
Rich also served as President and District governor of District 1, WV Funeral Directors Association, and in 2018 was appointed by the Governor Justice as a member of the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners.
Rich is also a long-time member of the Kanawha City Lions Club, one of the largest such clubs in West Virginia, where he served as president for two terms. He was awarded the Leonard Jarrett award in 2019, named after the founder of Lions club International. It is the highest award a Lion can receive.
Rich always had a deep love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard D. Bishoff, Sr. and Mary V. Bishoff; his fur babies: Missy, Annie, Marley, and Ilsa.
Rich is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Janie; beloved daughters, Amy Bishoff-Evans and Jacy Peterson; sons-in-law, Will Evans and C.J. Peterson; three granddaughters, Eloise, Layla and Maisy Jane, all who called him Papi; bonus grandchildren, Etta and Sawyer McMakin; sisters, Nina (Rich) Costantino, and Mary Ann Bishoff. He is also survived by his beloved cousin, Melody Stevens; his lifelong partner-in-crime, Mike Morrow; and his fur baby, Emma. Along with many nieces and nephews.
Rich was not only passionate about his work, but he had a love for the game of golf and its history since the age of nine. To his wife’s delight, he loved to cook, mostly on the grill and with his smoker. He also enjoyed taking walks with Emma, traveling to Maryland with family and friends, and time spent with his three precious granddaughters.
A Celebration of Life for Rich will be held at 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at River Ridge Church – Charleston, with Rev. Matt Santen officiating, assisted by Rev. Greg Hudson. Friends may visit from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the church.
A huge thank you to all the staff at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital for their amazing care and compassion!
In Lieu of flowers and to honor his wishes, please make any donations to: Hospice of Charleston,1606 Kanawha Blvd. W, Charleston, WV 25387 (https://www.hospicecarewv.org/make-a-donation/) or Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home, 1121 Virginia Street E., Charleston, WV 25301 (https://www.kvfh.org/donate.php).
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Rich was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by many.
He was always supportive of me personally and professionally.
He was a caring and understanding friend, always willing to lend an ear or offer words of encouragement.
I am very sad he is gone, but blessed to have known him.
Sending my deepest condolences to Janie, Amy, Jacy and their families. I know he loved you all so much!
Love,
Jeff
I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to know Rich. Whenever he came down here to SC to visit family we would try and play golf. He was an outstanding golfer but an even better friend. He was such a kind soul and was very proud of his family. I pray God brings comfort to Janie and the family in the days ahead.
Beyond blessed to have known Rich. He always had the same demeanor no matter what the occasion was. A great funeral director but even better person. I enjoyed talking with Rich about the profession. Between that and talking about golf, there was never a dull moment when we were around each other. I will miss you, friend.
Rich was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed by so many.
He was always supportive of my family during difficult times, which eventually led to him joining our Thursday night golf league. We shared many great times together on the golf course, and his friendship meant a great deal to all of us.
On behalf of the Capital City Golf League, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Rich’s family and loved ones. Rich was a caring and understanding friend, always willing to lend an ear or offer words of encouragement when someone needed it most.
I am deeply saddened by his passing, but I feel truly blessed to have known him and to have shared so many memories with him.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to Janie, Amy, Jacy, and your families. It was always clear how much Rich loved each of you. I also know how much he loved his Emma walks.
With love,
Kevin Huffman
Capital City Golf League President
My family is saddened by the loss of Rich. He was such a blessing. He showed my sisters and I unwavering compassion, genuine love and support, during the loss of our mother. He further stood beside us when we lost our grandmother, aunt and cousin. He was truly one of a kind and a blessing and fine representative of God’s precious love. Go rest dear friend as your time here on earth is complete, but your time in heaven has just begun. What a celebration! You will never be forgotten. Prayers and love to his family and friends.
Wishing you comfort and peace to face the days ahead and memories to hold in your heart.
Rest in peace.
Hugs and Prayers for Janie and the family. We are holding you in our hearts.
The funeral home where Rich Bishoff ministered to me after my son’s passing exemplified his faith and professionalism. Although I hadn’t chosen Snodgrass Funeral Home initially, Rich Bishoff walked me through every step, providing reassurance. Tragically, eight months later, I required his assistance again for my husband’s funeral service. Even before retiring, Rich Bishoff and his associate selflessly helped me with my niece’s burial. For those seeking a true man of faith, Rich Bishoff was an exemplary model. He gained his wings before going to heaven.
Rich, was a sweet, kind hearted man. He has helped so many people in the community. May God bless him and his family.
It was true honor knowing this man, I will miss him greatly. To Janie, Jacy and Amy ,I am so sorry for your loss.
I met Rich in 1982 when we were both freshmen engineering students at WVU. It was the beginning of a friendship that would last 44 years. Though we would go our separate ways to lead lives many miles apart, we always maintained a connection. No matter what challenges we happened to be facing in our lives at the time, we could always find a way to make each other laugh, and sometimes that was just what we needed. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had such a friend and know such a man. My heart goes out to Janie and the family that meant so much to Rich as they continue through life without him.