Enduring Tribute
Bridge named after local businessman
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BARTOW – A Randolph-Pocohontas bridge has been named after a local lumber businessman known for his contributions to both counties, and his work in the trucking and sawmill industries.
On Sept. 25, friends, family, community members and officials came together for a bridge dedication ceremony, renaming the Cheat Bridge after local businessman Richard “Rich” Thompson. Thompson, who passed away in 2024, was an Elkins native who made his career in the hardwood lumber industry with his family’s businesses, Mongold Lumber, Poe Run Logging and Laurel Lands.
In 2020, Thompson and his wife Tammie purchased Judy Fencecraft, Inc., a rustic split rail fence manufacturing facility, in Bartow. The bridge now named after Thompson borders Randolph and Pocahontas counties, where Thompson did most of his work.
“Rich often spoke of how blessed he was for God to have placed him not only in the United States of American and in West Virginia, but as importantly, among the woodlands of Cheat Mountain and the Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County,” a letter requesting the Cheat Bridge be named after Thompson stated.
“This bridge connects Randolph and Pocahontas counties and crossed the Shavers Fork River. For over four decades. Rich bridged these two counties in both his personal and professional worlds, and made mountainous contributions to not only West Virginia, but also to Randolph and Pocahontas counties.”
The ceremony on Sept. 25 was held at Judy Fencecraft, Inc. and began with opening remarks from Delegate Jonathon Kyle, who led the entire celebration. Kyle worked to get the bridge renaming approved through the legislature. Delegate Mickey Petitto of Harrison County, who helped with the resolution, also attended the ceremony.
The event’s invocation was given by Jason Fisher of the Landmark Baptist Church, where Richard Thompson attended services. During the ceremony, Kyle read the legislative citation where the West Virginia Legislature recognized the official naming of the Richard “Rich” Thompson Bridge.
“Requesting that the Division of Highways name the following infrastructure specified in this resolution,” the House Infrastructure Naming Resolution states. “Whereas, it is proper to honor persons who have distinguished themselves in service to West Virginia by naming infrastructure; therefore, the Legislature is… Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 42-250/00-001.72 (42A263), (38.617, -79.86974) locally known as Cheat Bridge, carrying US 250 over Shavers Fork Cheat River in Randolph County, the ‘Richard Lee Thompson Memorial Bridge.'”
Thompson’s children, Dr. Ashley Swecker and Dr. Erika Beckett, also attended the ceremony, along with grandchildren Gatlin and Jackson Swecker, and Logan and Elliott Beckett. Kyle presented the family with replicas of the Department of Highway signs that now mark the Richard “Rich” Thompson Memorial Bridge, as well as a copy of the legislative citation regarding the bridge.
Richard Thompson is remembered as “a leader and innovator” in the hardwood timber and lumber industry. Thompson traveled around the country, and around the world, for business, becoming a “world class promoter” for West Virginian Appalachian hardwood. He was also the first West Virginia resident to be selected as a member of the inaugural National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) leadership class.
“(Richard Thompson) is respected, admired and loved the world over and by a multitude of West Virginians, particularly residents of Randolph and Pocahontas counties,” the request letter stated. “If you were ever fortunate enough to be engaged with him in any realm, you would have left the opportunity having learned something. He was a commander of all deals and the voice of reason in both his professional and personal worlds. His business sense was bar none, his mind was genius and his heart was made of pure gold.”
Thompson