Richard Wilkins, lifelong farmer
Richard Wilkins, 66, of Staytonville, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. He was born Sept. 25, 1958, to Hirschel and Eliza Wilkins.
Richard began farming in 1972, and throughout his farming career, he always followed the principle that the land must not only provide a livelihood today for his family but must be operated in a sustainable way to provide a livelihood to those who will farm it in the future.
Richard graduated from MHS and UD with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. In 1998, he opened B & W Farm Supply, a farm equipment and retail business. Throughout the years, Richard served on numerous committees and organizations in the agriculture community.
The Trump administration appointed Richard to serve as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Delaware in May 2025.
Richard was appointed by Gov. Carney to serve on the board of directors of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council. Before his appointment, Richard served in various leadership roles, including executive secretary for Delaware FFA Association, executive director of Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association, president of the American Soybean Association, and state president and chief executive officer of Delaware Farm Bureau. He also worked as an agricultural business management and loan approval officer for Farmers Home Administration, which was reorganized into FSA and Rural Development.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, William Wilkins and Michele Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna; sisters, Merrie Jones and Beverly Neibert (Terry); and nieces and nephews, Lynn Wilkins, Christopher Neibert (Jenna), Christy Wilkins, Brenda Wilkins, Allyson Duvall (Andy), Cole Neibert (Kayla), Justin Ori, Crispin Porter, Lillian Ridgely and Adelynn Neibert.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28, at Calvary Church in Milford. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedarfield Ruritan Club, 315 Tub Mill Pond Road, Milford, DE 19963, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at loflandandmcknatt.com.
