Richard Wilkins passed away August 19 at the age of 66. Wilkins was a farmer, business owner and appointed to serve as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Delaware by President Donald Trump in 2025.
Wilkins was born the son of Hirschel and Eliza Wilkins and began his farming career in 1972. He graduated from Milford High School and the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. It was his belief that the land must not only provide a livelihood to his family today, but be operated in a sustainable way to provide a livelihood to those who will farm it tomorrow.
In 1998, Wilkins opened a farm equipment and retail business, B&W Farm Supply. He also served on numerous committees and organizations in the agriculture community.
In addition to his appointment in 2025 by President Trump, Wilkins was appointed by Governor John Carney to serve on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and on the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council. Wilkins served various leadership roles in many organizations, including Executive Secretary for the Delaware FFA, Executive Director of the Mid Atlantic Soybean Assocation, President of the American Soybean Association, State President and Chief Executive Officer for the Delaware Farm Bureau.
Along with these organizations, Wilkins was an agricultural business manager and executive officer for Farmer’s Home Administration, which was reorganized as FSA and Rural Development.
In addition to his parents, Wilkins was preceded in death by siblings William Watkins and Michele Holmes.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna; sisters Merrie Jones and Beverly (Terry) Neibert; nieces and nephews, Lynn Wilkins; Christopher (Jenna) Neibert; Christy Wilkins; Brenda Wilkins; Allyson (Andy) Duvall; Cole (Kayla) Neibert; Justin Ori, Crispin Porter, Lillian Ridgely and Adelynn Neibert.
Visitation will be August 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM at Calvary Methodist Church in Milford. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 PM following visitation. Burial will follow at the Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedarfield Ruritan Club, 315 Tub Mill Pond, Milford DE 19963 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105. Letters of condolences for the family can be shared by clicking here.
