Richard Alan Gillespie, 64, of Severna Park, a businessman and community volunteer, died of cancer Sept. 10 at home.

Born Nov. 9, 1939, in El Centro, Calif., and reared in Tucson, Ariz., Mr. Gillespie, who was affectionately known as "Whale," attended Southwestern Academy in San Marino, Calif., and Tucson High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arizona and graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

He was president of Chesapeake Land Title Co.and was an officer and director of the Maryland Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mr. Gillespie was a member of the Board of Governors of the YMCA Central Branch, treasurer of the county chapter of Ducks Unlimited, treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of Chartwell Country Club and board member of the former Maryland National Bank.

He also served on the Anne Arundel Community College Board of Trustees for 18 years as member, vice-chairman, chairman and trustee emeritus.

Among his interests were golf, hunting, fishing and sailing.

Surviving are his wife, Ann Meding Gillespie; two sons, Keven Gillespie of Millersville and Scott Gillespie of Boca Raton, Fla.; two sisters, Lynda Sterns of Descanso, Calif., and Kathy Siegger of Clovis, Calif.; two brothers, Russell Gillespie of Tucson and Douglas Gillespie of Castic, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Chartwell Country Club, 1 Chartwell Drive in Severna Park. Funeral services and burial are private. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Anne Arundel Community College, attention: Richard A. Gillespie Scholarship Fund, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012.

As published in The Capital, Newspaper, Annapolis, MD on 9/14/2004