Assembly Resolution No. 45
BY: M. of A. Norris
MOURNING the death of Richard Lang, distinguished
coach, athlete, town supervisor, conservation
officer, author, and devoted member of his community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Richard "Dick" Lang of Orchard Park, New York, died on
Wednesday, October 5th, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Richard Lang distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, He was inducted into numerous area Hall of Fames, as well
as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; the Roy-Hart Kid's Wrestling
program and Sports Booster program began under his tutelage; and
WHEREAS, Richard Lang coached wrestling at Roy-Hart and Newfane,
winning numerous league and sectional titles and impacting the lives of
countless kids; throughout the years, he coached many leagues and
sectional champions, including Olympian Lou Roselli; and
WHEREAS, Serving as one of the toughest game wardens in Western New
York from 1969 to 2010, Richard Lang had a passion for wildlife and
environmental conservation; he was once declared the New York State
Conservation Officer of the Year; and
WHEREAS, He authored a book titled Behind the Badge which contained
numerous stories of his days as a game warden in Niagara County and the
surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, A lifetime member of the Western New York Poultry
Association, Richard Lang showed championship Bantam chickens from
childhood through most of his adult life; and
WHEREAS, An avid pheasant and turkey hunter, he loved being in the
great outdoors, especially while working his Brittany Spaniel or calling
in a turkey; and
WHEREAS, Always believing in the importance of physical fitness,
Richard Lang competed in the Empire State Games and the Police Olympics,
emerging victorious as New York's "Toughest Cop"; and
WHEREAS, Richard Lang's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, He made an impact on his local community in his capacity as
a Royalton Town Board member and Town Supervisor for two terms; and
WHEREAS, Over the last several years, Richard Lang became an avid
spectator of various sports, watching his grandkids compete in sports at
the high school and college level; he also became an aficionado of
musical theatre and attended several performances at local high schools
and the Lockport Palace Theatre with his equally proud wife; and
WHEREAS, Richard Lang also loved hanging around his lifelong friends
Hank Haas, the Osborne brothers, and his brother David; and
WHEREAS, Richard Lang is survived by his loving wife of 62 years,
Gretchen; sons John (Therese) and Michael (Deanne); brother, David;
brothers-in-law, Dick (Ann), Hank, and Frank; seven grandchildren,
Abbey, Hogan, Johnathan, Madigan, Murphy, Kennedy, and McCarthy, as well
as several nieces and nephews; he was predeceased by his parents, John
R. Lang and Grace Biddlecomb Lang, as well as his sister-in-law, JoAnne
Lang; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Richard Lang leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Richard Lang, distinguished coach, athlete, town
supervisor, conservation officer, author, and devoted member of his
community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Richard Lang.
