Richard Rickard

Richard D.S. Rickard, 84, of Chagrin Falls, OH, died Oct. 24, 2013 leaving his beloved wife Dewie B., daughters Carrie (Barbara Lindholm) and Ann P.R. Farkas (Tom), grandchildren Sam, Molly and Will Farkas, siblings-in-law, many nieces, nephews, friends, former colleagues & students to mourn him.

Dick was born in Exeter, N.H. to Donald S. and Ethel D. Rickard in 1929. He grew up at the Phillips Exeter Academy first as a faculty brat and then as a student. He graduated from Cornell University where he majored in English and decided to become a teacher. He furthered his education, receiving his first Masters Degree from Columbia University in 1963, and his second from St. Johns College (Santa Fe) in 1972.

Dick served proudly in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Fremont as a 1st Lt. He was an active participant in the Naval Reserves following his discharge in 1954. In 1955, Dick came to Cleveland with his bride Dewie, to begin his 35 year career teaching English at University School. His passion for teaching was matched by his passions for his daughters and bird watching. He always made sure that his family knew that after teaching boys, the highlight of his day was coming home to his wife and girls.

In addition to watching birds at every opportunity, Dick organized portions of the Cleveland Christmas bird count for many years and more recently did field research for the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas. In retirement Dick and Dewie traveled widely, with a special fondness for Scotland, home of their ancestors, great writers & more birds.

Services will be held Friday, January 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights followed by a reception at University School, Hunting Valley campus. In lieu of flowers gifts in Dick’s memory may be made to University School, 2785 SOM Center Rd., Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022. Special thanks to Aric Greenfield, M.D., former student, oncologist and dear friend, care providers from Home Instead and Hospice of the Western Reserve.