Richard Hamer Pennell

Richard Hamer Pennell, 96, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2022, at his home. Born May 1926 in Spartanburg, Dick was the son of Aileen Hamer Pennell and James Roy Pennell. He graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1943, then served in the US Navy in the South Pacific during World War II before graduating from Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1950.

Dick was Chairman of the Board of Metromont Corporation, based in Greenville, SC, with multiple prestress and concrete plants located throughout the Southeast US.

As an advocate for a strong SC business community, Dick was a founding director of both the Palmetto Business Forum and Spartanburg Development Association. He was a trustee and former chairman of the Clemson Architectural Foundation as well as both the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

Professional associations included involvement and directorships with TET, Inc (Ft Wayne), South Carolina National Corporation, Wachovia Bank of South Carolina, National Ready-Mix Concrete Association, National Concrete Masonry Association.

Giving back to his community was always important and Dick served as a trustee of the Spartanburg Day School (Life), Piedmont Club (Life), United Way of Spartanburg, Salvation Army of Spartanburg, YMCA of Spartanburg and the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg along with the Peace Center for Performing Arts in Greenville, Converse College, Spartanburg County Foundation and Central United Methodist Church, plus Finance Chairman for the SC Republican Party.

Clemson University, College of Architecture, awarded Dick the Dean’s Award for service and SC School for the Deaf and Blind dedicated the Richard H Pennell Vocational School Complex to him.

Dick is survived by his son, Richard H Pennell, Jr (Nancy) of Greenville, SC and his daughter, Susan Pennell Towson of Tryon, NC, as well as three grandchildren, Allen Pennell Albergotti (Gaston), Richard H Pennell III (Caroline) and James Duer Pennell and two great-grandchildren. Dick extended his family with the children of his deceased wife, Gloria: Michael Read and Shane Read (Linda), daughter-in-law Hollie Read, all of Dallas, and their 8 children.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to Dick’s faithful caregivers, Geraldine (Sissy) Hart and Allison and Chris Riggleman, who have been truly invaluable to Dick and the entire family over the past few years.

Graveside services will be held Friday, August 5^th, 10:00AM at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, in Spartanburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Day School, 1701 Skylyn Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29307.