Richard Obranovich, a longtime co-executive director of the Alexandria Police Foundation, died Sept. 18 at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., surrounded by his family following a battle with cancer. He was 82.

Born Feb. 17, 1944, in Washington, D.C., Richard Albert Obranovich was the son of the late John Obranovich and Mabel Birch Obranovich. His family moved to Wheaton, Md., in 1961, where he graduated from Wheaton High School in 1962. He later earned an associate degree in business administration from Benjamin Franklin University in 1971.

Obranovich dedicated 35 years to Hecht's Department Stores, beginning his career as a stock clerk and advancing to Divisional Vice President of Finance before retiring in 1999. He was respected for his professionalism, leadership, and financial expertise.

It was during his tenure at Hecht’s that he met his future wife, Virginia “Ginny” Hill, a recently widowed mother of two young boys. Hill’s husband, Corporal Charles Hill, was killed in the line of duty in March of 1989 during efforts to free a teenage hostage.

“Richard was part of the heart and soul of the Police Foundation, a kind and unselfish giver of his time and talents.”

— Former Chief of Police David Baker

Following his retirement from Hecht’s, he and Ginny devoted themselves to volunteer service in Alexandria. As volunteer executive co-directors for the Alexandria Police Foundation, they helped lead numerous major community initiatives, including the Alexandria Fallen Officers Memorial at Police Headquarters, which honors 18 fallen officers, including Ginny’s late husband, the last officer to die in the line of duty in Alexandria. 

Construction on the Memorial began in 2014 and the Memorial was dedicated on March 28, 2015.

“Richard was special,” said former Police Chief David Baker. “He was part of the heart and soul of the Police Foundation, a kind and unselfish giver of his time and talents, and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandad. I'll miss his influential presence in our lives.”

Obranovich also supported youth programs, community policing efforts, law enforcement training programs, holiday outreach events, and charitable services for local families.

The Alexandria Police Foundation, originally founded in 2002 to provide health insurance for retiring police K9 dogs, flourished under the leadership of Obranovich and his wife. It has grown to now sponsoring wide-ranging programs reaching into all parts of the community as well as working to enhance the effectiveness of Alexandria police officers.

After the couple retired to West Virginia, Obranovich enjoyed golf, trap and skeet shooting, reading and home improvement projects. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson, who arrived in 2025.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Hill Obranovich; sons Robert Allan Obranovich (Johanna Christine), Charles William Hill (Michelle Elizabeth), and Robert Matthew Hill; daughter-in-law Denise Obranovich; grandchildren Steven Kyle Obranovich, Laila Elizabeth Hill, Audrey Rose Hill, Eleanor May Hill, and Hannah Lynn Hill; great-grandson Mateo Nicolas Obranovich; sister Barbara Obranovich Jerry (John); brother Bruce Michael Obranovich (Lorie); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, James Brian Obranovich, and his brother, John Joseph Obranovich.

Private services and interment were held by the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Berkeley Medical Center, or the Alexandria Police Foundation.

Richard and Ginny Obranovich were named Living Legends of Alexandria in 2020.