Richard Stacey Ludlam
Ocean City

Richard “Dick” Ludlam passed away peacefully at home on January 20th, surrounded by his family, just days after celebrating his 89th birthday. He was one of the last to be born in Ocean City in a small home off Washington Lane.

The son of the late Stacy Sleeper Ludlam and Kathryn (Brady), he was also a great-grandson of Christopher Sleeper Ludlam, the third mayor of Ocean City. A graduate of Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy and Mount Saint Joseph’s High School.

In 1955, he enlisted in the Army and became an honor student at the Sixth Army Communication School at Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed his AAA Operations and Intelligence Specialist Training and took part in Exercise Sagebrush.

In 1951, Richard met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betsy” Barrett, while running his beach stand at 1st Street in Ocean City. They married in 1957, beginning a blessed and happy marriage that spanned 68 years.  In 1961, Richard opened The Furniture House in downtown Berlin, later expanding to a new location on Route 50 in 1968 and then The Finishing Touch in north Ocean City. He later renamed the business Casual Designs Furniture and grew it into a thriving operation with multiple locations, including stores in Fenwick, Selbyville, and Bethany Beach.

A true Eastern Shoreman, he had a passion for boating, fishing, sporting clays and collecting decoys. Once an avid duck hunter, he later became a dedicated member of Ducks Unlimited.  This passion also led him to open a small art gallery, Wildlife Art, where he showcased his love for nature’s beauty. Above all, he cherished time with his family. His strong faith and unwavering love for his family were reflected in his kind and humble ways.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Betsy, their four daughters: Susan Russell (widow of Gene), Terry Bell (Jonathan), Jeanne Watson (Wil), and Kathy Ryan (Paul), along with 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, who knew and loved him as “Pappy.”

He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Blaine.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m., located at 200 S. Baltimore Ave, Ocean City. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church at stmaryholysavior.com, or Coastal Hospice at www.coastalhospice.org.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Coastal Hospice and all the caregivers who were involved in his care.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.