Deceased January 12, 2022
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
In Memory
On a cold, wet November day in 1952 in Williamstown, Dick became a hero by blocking a punt, enabling an Amherst touchdown, and also by kicking all three conversion attempts while Williams missed two, to make the score 21–19.
Having prepared for Amherst at Episcopal Academy, where he was a three-letter athlete, Dick majored in economics, joined Chi Psi, was named All New England Defensive End and sang in his rich bass voice with the beginning Zumbyes and with the Glee Club and Choir. Recently Dick said singing for two years with the Zumbyes was one of the great experiences of his life.
A Navy pilot for four years, in the Pacific he flew single-pilot and prop Skyriders off the carrier Yorktown.
He began his business career with Towle Silver and then headed a succession of famous companies, from Royal Doulton to Izod Lacoste to Aquascutum.
With Ruth Anne, his high school sweetheart and wife of 65 years, and their four children, there was a rich and long love of skiing every year on a variety of mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire. Dick also loved tennis and ping-pong. In the couple’s retirement on Cape Cod, Dick especially enjoyed taking lots of lifelong learning courses and playing golf.
Having taken woodworking classes early in his life, Dick made wonderful furniture, such as armoires, blanket chests and tables, often as wedding presents for his children—and also whimsical things like cuckoo clocks and toys.
Dick was passionate about his family and lifelong friends, ever outgoing, enthusiastic and positive.
Dick died in Harwich, Mass., on Jan. 12. Ruth Anne preceded him in 2020. He leaves his daughter Cathleen (Bill), son John, daughter Elizabeth (Michael), son David (Lorie) and six grandchildren.
—The Catlett family, Robert Brinker ’53 and George Edmonds ’53