Richard V. Stott

Richard Volk Stott (Ne Clifford George Irwin) died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. He was born on November 10, 1930, to William J. Irwin and Edith Luella Lodge Irwin of Sherburne, NY. Although well loved by his family, due to the premature death of his mother, John C. and Louise V. Stott adopted him. Whenever Richard thought of John Stott, he always commented on what a good father he was.

Richard graduated from Norwich High School in 1948 and received a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Upon completion of his undergraduate work, Richard went on to study for a master’s degree at Wharton Graduate School of Business and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia while working as an underwriter for the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. On June 13, 1953, he married Patricia Ann Scheirer at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Allentown, PA, and in 1954 he joined the John C. Stott Agency until he retired.

The greatest joy of his life was reconnecting with his Irwin relatives, including his little sister, Jane Irwin Fowlston. He was blessed to have them welcome him, once again, into the family. Richard was grateful for every moment he was able to spend with the Irwins.

In the past, Richard Stott served as a board member of several organizations. He was President of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, Chenango County Association of Insurance Agents, the Chenango Board of Realtors, and the United Way. Also, he served as a board member of Chenango Memorial Hospital, the American Heart Association of Central NY, and Christ Lutheran Church. In addition, he served as a director of the Norwich Rotary Club, was a NY Republican State Committeeman, and coordinated the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.

Golf, traveling, and sailing were Richard’s pastimes. As a young man, he played golf on the Norwich High School’s team and Muhlenberg College’s team, and he continued to golf for most of his life. Locally, he was a member of the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. Mr. Stott was part of the “Hole-in-One Club” and won a trip to Europe for a hole-in-one on the twelfth hole at Canasawacta. During the summers, he successfully participated in sailing races at Genegantslet Lake in McDonough, NY where he owned a cottage overlooking the lake. Additionally, he enjoyed traveling to Europe and islands in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Also, he spent many years in his winter residence in Venice, Florida and was an usher at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice.

Richard Stott was preceded by his wife, Patricia Stott, his mother, Edith Lodge Irwin, his father, William J. Irwin, and siblings: Jane Fowlston, Carroll Irwin, Raymond Irwin, William J. Irwin, Kenneth T. Irwin, and Mildred White. He is survived by his son, Eric Stott, daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and David Lorch, grandson Zachary Lorch and his wife Courtney and their daughter Natalie, Godson, Martin Dietrich, and many Irwin nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also, he was incredibly grateful to Thomas Emerson, his Prospect Street neighbors, David Dietrich, his family, and Homer and Jan Burch, who bolstered and advocated for his church.

One of Richard’s favorite quotes was from an article written by F. Amos Bailey, MD. The title was, “I have no fear of dying. I would just prefer not to be there when it happens.” Richard’s quick wit, story-telling, and wonderful sense of humor followed him throughout his life.

To celebrate and honor Richard Volk Stott, donations can be made to Christ Lutheran Church, C/O Paster Laura Wade, 94 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815, or Our Daily Bread Food Pantry housed in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 37 West Main Street, Norwich, NY 13815.

A private burial will be held in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.