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irginia

apitol

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2015

Whether as a young man climbing to the tops of poles to repair

telephone lines, or more recently sitting with a Virginia legislator to

make a policy point, Richard Settle was always about communication.

His lines of communication ran from his beloved Southwest

Virginia to whatever nook or cranny in state government that needed

to be informed about something folks needed in Richard’s back

home—whether those needs were in telecommunications, education or

especially economic development.

First and foremost, Richard Settle was always about what was best

for his Southwest Virginia, where his roots ran deep.

When Richard Settle passed away on April 16, 2015 at the age of

65, all of Virginia lost an advocate for those qualities of life that typify

the Commonwealth at her best.

Richard loved his home, in the Southwest Virginia mountains, and

he embodied the warm-heartedness for which the region is known.

Most of us knew Richard for his indefatigable good humor, ever-

present twinkle in his eye, and inventive golf rules. Richard endured

what to others would be devastating loss and hardship in his life and

yet he persevered, prospered and brought joy and a reassuring presence

to others.

Anita Robinson, a life-long friend commented on Richard’s

strength of character, “I tell you, Richard Settle was a strong man in

many ways. His faith in God is evident by the way he lived. He was a

mountain of a man literally and figuratively.”

Richard also cared deeply about public policy – especially as it

affected telecommunications, coal, higher education and economic

development. Another of his oldest friends, R. D. Snead, in speaking

of Richard, made the point that he never doubted that the best path for

economic progress was the path that best empowered the people in

terms of education and job opportunities.

Before he founded Settle and Associates, his government relations

business, Richard was a 31-year employee of Verizon. He learned

the business from the ground up – first as a pole climber, and then as

Southwest Area Manager of External Affairs.

His public service began when he served in the United States Air

Force. After returning home, he was elected to the Russell County

Board of Supervisors where he served as chair and vice-chair. He also

In Memoriam

served on the foundation boards of Mountain Empire Community

College and The University ofVirginia,Wise. In 2003, he was inducted

into the Mountain Empire Community College Hall of Honor.

Richard served as chair of the Virginia Coalfield Economic

Development Authority. He was selected by the Governor as a special

envoy to the 2001 Economic Summit in Tokyo, and was appointed to

the Virginia Workforce Council. The General Assembly of Virginia

also recognized his leadership and appointed Richard to the Southwest

Economic Development Commission. In addition, he was a charter

member of the Southwest Virginia Technology Council, and member

of the Board of Directors of Virginia Economic Bridge. He also held

several advisory board positions for privately held companies.

Richard served as a deacon of Miller View Primitive Baptist

Church in Lebanon, Virginia. He was an active member of Sandy

Valley Masonic Lodge #17, the Wise County Shrine Club and the

Kazim Temple in Roanoke. He graduated from the Russell County

Public Schools and attended Clinch Valley College.

“He was not only my best friend; he was the definition of aVirginia

Gentleman,” said Donnie Ratliff, one of Richard’s closest friends. “He

cared so much for Southwest Virginia and he wanted it all to prosper,

he would do anything he could to help someone who had a need. In

many ways his work in our region was even more effective than many

Governors. It just won’t be the same without him.”

The Senate of Virginia and Virginia House of Delegates adjourned

in memory of Richard on April 17, 2015.

He is survived by his wife Janet Swearingen Settle; son Jamie

Settle; daughter Sarah Rae Easter and son-in-law Nick Easter;

grandsons Tommy and Taylor Settle; brother Billy Settle and sister-

in-law Judy; daughter-in-law Jennifer Taylor Yates; niece Sally Ketron

and husbandWes; niece Lora Beth Settle; and niece Lindsay Greer and

husband Joe.

In memory of Richard, a scholarship fund has been set up in his

name. Donations can be made to the Richard L. Settle Jr. Scholarship

Fund, Mountain Empire Community College, 3441 Mountain Empire

Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 or Miller View Church, P.O. Box 973,

Lebanon, VA 24266.

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