Richard Lee Swope, age 74, passed away peacefully, December 07, 2019, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Richard was born on May 9, 1945 to Edward and Johanna Swope in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Philipsburg Area High School in May of 1963 and the Navy School of Music in July 1964. Richard served as a trumpet player in the band program from 1963-1967. He received a BS in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University in 1972 and was employed as the band director at the Everett Area High School in Everett, PA for 3 years. He returned to Penn State in 1975 and earned a MS in Music Education. He completed a career as a music educator in 2005 with the Montgomery County public school system in Maryland. After moving to Georgia, he began employment as a lecturer of music at Georgia Southwestern State University. He worked as band director and instructor of instrumental music from 2006-2015. He resigned from his position in May 2015, at the age of 70. Survivors included, wife Barbara Swope; one son, Tim Swope of California and one daughter, Ivy (Jonathan) Donnell of Maryland; and a nephew David Mark of Pennsylvania. Visitation will be held at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel Monday, December 9, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 12:00 PM.