Obituaries

Richard Ward SeveranceArtist, Property Designer

Richard Ward Severance, 55, an artist, illustrator and corporate property designer for Scott Management Properties, died Jan. 26 of complications of diabetes at Capital Hospice in Arlington. He lived in West Springfield.

Mr. Severance, known as Rick, was born in Pittsburgh. After his parents divorced, he lived with his mother and grandmother, who loved to search for, purchase and restore old houses to their original beauty. They would live in the house during the process, and when complete, sell it at a profit and move on to another one. After the grandmother's death, Mr. Severance and his mother continued this avocation for most of their lives.

He moved to the Washington area and graduated from Wakefield High School. He attended the University of Maryland and began a career in design. He worked with many prominent firms, including Frankie Welch Design of Alexandria, Couture Boutique ( and the now-defunct W&J Sloane furniture store.

He also painted renderings for several well-known designers, including Sarah Boyer Jenkins & Associates in Chevy Chase, where he did renderings for client interiors and charitable functions. He participated in design concepts and set construction for the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala and the American Society of Interior Designers' kitchens. He painted custom items and details for the National Symphony Orchestra's Women's Committee Showhouses. At Hargrove Display, he did conceptual renderings for inaugural parades and political, social and charitable events.

"Rick is a man who pursued his dream with great intensity," said his cousin Brooks Hill. There was nothing he could not draw, paint or build, Hill said. "He just had a knack for that . . . a unique ability."

In his community, he volunteered for many projects, including selecting colonial lamp posts for continuity, supervising ivy plantings for sound walls and keeping the community sign freshly painted.

He also contributed to the design of the new home for his church, St. Raymond of Penafort in Fairfax Station, while serving on the building committee.

He leaves no immediate survivors.

Edwin John SabecNavy Commander

Edwin John Sabec, 77, a retired Navy commander and Fairfax County schools employee, died Jan. 24 of sepsis at Burke Nursing Center in Burke. He was a Fairfax resident.

Cmdr. Sabec was born in Export, Pa., and received a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1948. He received a master's degree in business administration from George Washington University in 1968.

He served in the Navy as a supply officer in the Pacific, stationed on Kwajalein and Midway islands. He retired in 1972.

After his retirement, he joined the Fairfax public schools, retiring in 1994 as director of supply services.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Springfield chapter, No. 6153.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Patricia Curry Sabec of Fairfax; two sons, Edwin Joseph Sabec of the District and Christopher John Sabec of San Anselmo, Calif.; and two granddaughters.