DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710050027

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: CAROLINE COUNTY                   LENGTH:   29 lines

RICHARD L. STAPLES

Richard L. ``Dick'' Staples, 58, died Friday, Oct. 3, 1997, of cancer in St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond. A man who wholeheartedly immersed himself in his passions, he led a full and rich life.

As a young man, he left his mark in the auto racing world following the SCCA circuit. Later, as his interest in boating activities grew, he became an accomplished navigator from the Virginia waterways to the Caribbean. His primary interest throughout his life, however, always revolved around horses. Coming from a deeply rooted equestrian background, he played polo, hunted foxes, and in recent years became involved with carriages, driving pairs at many formal and informal events on the East Coast as well as driving his four draft horses for the State Fair Horse Hitch for 10 years. He was co-owner of Woodlawn Construction Co.

He is survived by his wife, Diane M. Staples; his children, Adam and Wendy Staples of Ruther Glen; his brothers, Phillip F. Staples of Ruther Glen, William R. Staples of Delaplane and J. Jeffrey Staples of Goochland; his sister, Carol van Schaik of Cavendish, Vt.; and his grandchildren, Ian Staples and Leslie Wright.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Woodlawn Farm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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