Richard Hunt Rose Jr.

Richard Hunt “Dick” Rose Jr., 93, of Carysbrook, Va., passed away on October 7. He is survived by his wife Julia Borden Neal Rose.

He was born in Richmond on April,15 1933, to the late Richard Hunt Rose and Ruth Houser Rose. He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia Seay Hillsman and his brothers David Franklin Rose (Susan) and Peter Houser Rose (Barbara) and his first wife Ann Skinner Rose, the mother of their three children, and by his grandson Joshua Hunt Rayner.

He is survived by his sons, Richard Hunt Rose III (Eileen) and Thomas Carter Rose, his daughter Page Rose Rayner (Bobby), his grandchildren Amanda Rayner Buchanan, (Matt,) Mason Hugh Rayner (Katie Moore), Morgan Rose Smith (Julien) Harrison Carter Rose (Jane) and Hannah Page Rose. He is also survived by his brothers John Newkirk Rose (Kathy) and Walter Christian Rose (Terry) and by his three great grandchildren, James Madison Michaux Buchanan III, Elizabeth Ann Grace Buchanan and Lucy Lee Rose, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dick lived an extraordinary life.

He grew up near the University of Richmond next to the Phi Gama Delta House and could recall pilots buzzing the campus during World War II practice runs. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond and of, course, Miss Donnan’s cotillion at the Hotel Jefferson

A lifelong businessman and entrepreneur, Dick started a hauling business with one dump truck in the early 1950s. In the late 1950s he founded Underdrain Inc, which built underground drainage for interstate highways and for airport construction. In 1967 he started Powhatan Crushed Stone and, a few years later, Powhatan Ready Mix. Powhatan Ready Mix expanded steadily, adding ready-mix concrete plants in the Richmond and Petersburg area. In 1994, he expanded his business with the purchase of LeSuer Richmond Slate in Buckingham County. The quarry business and the ready-mix business have since changed ownership. In addition, Dick had numerous other business interests throughout Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia.

He was a tireless worker with a keen instinct for business and real estate opportunities. He was a visionary and deeply determined to succeed.

The rebuilding of the beautiful home at Carysbrook Plantation around 2004-2005 was a masterpiece that combined all his talents.

Along with his family and his businesses, Dick’s lifelong interest was flying airplanes, which added excitement and efficiency to his life as a businessman. He flew all over the country for family vacations and business trips. Favorite destinations included Wilmington, N.C., and Hilton Head, S.C.

Dick got his private pilot’s license in 1958 after training in a Piper J3 Cub. He then purchased a 1954 Piper Tri-Pace, his first plane. During his life he owned over 35 planes, built several airstrips, and accumulated thousands of hours in the air. Aviation was a lifelong passion. His many airplanes ranged from a Lake Amphibian to his Beechcraft King Air. He always said his favorite was the Beechcraft Baron, and he owned several over the years.

Dick enjoyed adventure. He landed on the beaches of the barrier islands off the Outer Banks of Virginia for fishing, swimming and picnics. While managing his construction business on the Interstate Highway system, he landed on the unfinished highways to attend to ongoing work. His float plane could be seen at various lakes and rivers.

The family would like to thank the many people who helped Dick and Julia over the past year, including Roy May, Jim Buchanan, Carter Rose, Doc Armstrong and Dickie Richardson, especially for their driving; Carol Raines; Joan Clark, Body Works and Wellness LLC; Ymine Porter of Suntribe Solar Construction; Roberts Physical Therapy; Dr. Randy Lanford and staff, especially Martha McAloon; Michelle Mendez, LPN, UVa Cardiology; Martha Jefferson and Hillsdale; Ultimate Mobility; and Sheridan Funeral Home. All blessings flow.