Wasson Richard Scheetz

Wasson Richard Scheetz passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, PA. We celebrate Wasson’s gentle and loving transition to the next life as we believe he was embraced into the arms of his everlasting beloved wife, “Peaches,” along with all of our remarkable relatives and ancestors who continue to love on us every day! Although our hearts are heavy without his physical presence to hug and see, we count our blessings to the moon and stars that we are his children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends to have known him all our lives. We can hear him speak of the planet Pluto, Aliens, “life on other planets” and whether Pluto is a planet or star…. immersed in National Geographic and Discover magazines. Wasson lived to a remarkable age of 92 years young. During his end of life, he lived valiantly with the erosive disease of Dementia. If you are a caregiver reading this, please know that we understand the bittersweet journey and the moments of helplessness trying to be “good enough and just enough.” As his son, Steven, expressed so eloquently, “If our worth as humans is measured by the memories that we create, then Wasson R Scheetz created Wealth Beyond Measure for us, his family.”

Born in Bryn Mawr, PA on December 20, 1932, he was the son of the late Harry, “the Chief” and Sara “Sally” (Baker) Scheetz and a child of the Great Depression. Wasson loved telling stories of his Hughes Park neighborhood on Crooked Lane where he could hunt peasants, fish, swim, and take the P & W trolley into Norristown for 10 cents that included a double feature! He attended Upper Merion High School and was a tight end…even breaking his collar bone in severe pain yet getting up and walking off the field. Wasson was always an Ironman! He was also a little bit of a spitfire challenging authority. He told stories of Principal Stroni having to go down the quarry where he would be swimming, “What are you doing Scheetz, get to class!” Wasson had hot rods, Indian motorcycle and his favorite car of all time, 1934 Ford Coupe! Later in life, he built and customized the Wasson Auto Body tow truck and unique frame equipment himself. Wasson could fix anything.

Wasson served in the ARMY Intelligence during the Korean War, 1950-1953. He was always very proud of his military service announcing with inflection, “ASA…Do you know what that stands for? …Army Security Agency”! He was a 007 secret agent man. Wasson met Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) who was a political figure and leader of the Republic of China and his wife. At the time, Chiang Kai-shek was defeated by the Communist Party and fled to Formosa (Taiwan) which means “beautiful island.”

When Wasson returned from the service, he met a beautiful woman, Virginia, “Ginger” at a dance in Phoenixville. Wasson loved telling his version of their 60-year love affair trying to contain his laughter, “Your mother had springs in her seat when she first saw me and then I had to take all 5 of her girlfriends home too.” Wasson and Virginia were married at St Patrick’s Church in Norristown, PA on October 4, 1958. Shortly after, the young couple moved to Los Angeles where they went to LA Harbor College. Wasson learned to fly and even later in life, his son-in-law gave him a “gift of flight.” On June 28, 2019, Wasson made the Phoenixvillenews.com, “After 60 years, Chesco man takes to the air again!” In addition to college classes, Wasson pursued the LAPD Crime Lab because his dream was to work in forensics. However, during a routine physical, he was told that his back was broken from a football injury that he was not even aware of. Even though he was not in pain, his dreams were shattered. Wasson and Virginia adapted to this hardship and disappointment and returned to create Wasson’s Auto Body!

Wasson set the bar high for being hard-working, talented, and devoted to his family. We knew he would always be there for us. Nothing was too much to ask of him. Our favorite memories as children were as “river rats” fishing, swinging from trees, waterskiing with friends, and lots of boat rides entertaining the IHM sisters.

Surviving is his loving family including his son, Steven W. Scheetz, whom Wasson expressed immense pride and awe that his son felt such admiration for him that he choose to “follow creatively in his footsteps” calling him a “Color Creator Wizard,” Wasson’s daughter, Beth, forever cherishes being “Daddy’s Girl” and her husband, Tom Bishop with whom Wasson loved as if he were his son. Wasson and Virginia’s great loves are their two granddaughters, Ginger Rose and Mary Kate whom blessed their lives with so much love and fun that Wasson created a customized license plate to put on blast his devotion to strive to be “ichiban Pop Pop” which means #1 in Japanese! For many of Wasson’s nieces and nephews, he was their coolest uncle. Cousin Jimmy would say, “Uncle Wass is cool!"

He is preceded in death by his only and loving sister, Betty Shope. Lastly, Wasson loved all his animals steadfastly. The family’s bulldog, Charlie and Kitty recently crossed the rainbow bridge and will be playing and resting with their beloved Pop Pop.

In recognition of his selfless and brave service to our nation, Wasson will be laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA. on Thursday, June 26 at 11 AM. Relatives and friends who wish to attend are kindly asked to arrive at the cemetery and proceed in the family line in front of the office no later than 10:45 AM for the procession to the ceremonial pavilion. Thank you for understanding and respecting the designated time for this solemn occasion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wasson’s memory to Southeastern Veterans' Center, One Veterans Dr., Spring City, PA 19475, make check/money order payable to: SEVC Residents’ Welfare Fund. The family wishes to extend their immense gratitude for the outstanding and loving staff at SEVC who are relentless with their devotion for all the residents in their memory care living arrangement. The family would also like to express great appreciation to Holistic Hospice Care who provided outstanding compassionate care; comfort, therapeutic touch, music, and even a therapeutic support skunk who Wasson called, “Sweetheart.”

Arrangements are by the Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA

Condolences to the family at www.bacchifh.com