Obituary for Richard Flory Wilde
Richard F. "Rick" Wilde, age 64, died peacefully in his sleep on April 4, 2023, in his home in Simsbury, Connecticut that he shared with his father Richard C. Rick was born in New Haven, CT on Friday, March 13, 1959, elder son of Richard C. and Carla S. Wilde. He is survived by his parents, younger brother Philip and niece Lauren of Simsbury and nephew Colin of West Hartford, CT, and his extended family and friends who loved him dearly for his kindness and generosity of spirit and will miss him.
Following his education in Simsbury's public schools, Rick graduated from Connecticut College in New London, CT in 1981, having majored in economics and anthropology, followed by a Master of Science in Management from RPl's Hartford Graduate Center in 1983 and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT in 1998.
As a teenager, Rick started work with John Burns, a local agronomist from whom he learned the basics of plant science, which led to years of herb and vegetable culture on his home's back deck. Later Rick worked as a contract administrator for Hamilton Standard during NASA's early Space Shuttle flights. His delight in meeting people and being a great conversationalist strengthened his work as a licensed mental health counselor. Rick worked professionally both in private practice in Simsbury and with the Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens. He remained consistently active to reduce pain associated with mental illness.
In Rick's private life he played the clarinet in high school and loved the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. His library holds upwards of 200 compact discs that he enjoyed hearing on his Denon high fidelity stereo system. Rick also enjoyed fly fishing on the upper reaches of the Farmington River and was a master fly tyer. Rick also loved sailing his sloop "Ariel" based in Noank, CT. With friends John Carroll and Tom Ahern, he sailed Long Island Sound, Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Some of Rick's best times were spent with his friends Steve Klobukowski at his family's summer home on Lake Bunggee in Woodstock, CT, and with Norm Krisher of Stow, VT and Cy Boynton of Yarmouth Port, MA. Friend Edie Godwin recalls Rick's delight in polishing his red 1971 VW "Beetle". Rick was also an imaginative chef who enjoyed sharing his dishes and recipes with family and friends.
Locally Rick played a major role during the recent restoration of the First Church of Christ UCC in Simsbury. Working with his close friend Nathan-"Dane"-Woodberry; Rick's contacts with the CT - Historical Preservation Trust enabled the restoration of the sanctuary's roof structure and initiated the now-completed renovation of the original windows.
Perhaps it's ironic that Rick's birth date was on Friday the 13th. All his entire adult life he battled his twin addictions, alcohol and tobacco. Mercifully he is now at peace. His Memorial Service is planned for 11:00 AM on May 13, 2023, with interment of his ashes in the Memorial Garden at First Church, followed by a light lunch in the church's Palmer Hall. Memorial gifts may be made to The First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT 06070 or to a charity of your choosing.
Following his education in Simsbury's public schools, Rick graduated from Connecticut College in New London, CT in 1981, having majored in economics and anthropology, followed by a Master of Science in Management from RPl's Hartford Graduate Center in 1983 and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT in 1998.
As a teenager, Rick started work with John Burns, a local agronomist from whom he learned the basics of plant science, which led to years of herb and vegetable culture on his home's back deck. Later Rick worked as a contract administrator for Hamilton Standard during NASA's early Space Shuttle flights. His delight in meeting people and being a great conversationalist strengthened his work as a licensed mental health counselor. Rick worked professionally both in private practice in Simsbury and with the Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens. He remained consistently active to reduce pain associated with mental illness.
In Rick's private life he played the clarinet in high school and loved the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. His library holds upwards of 200 compact discs that he enjoyed hearing on his Denon high fidelity stereo system. Rick also enjoyed fly fishing on the upper reaches of the Farmington River and was a master fly tyer. Rick also loved sailing his sloop "Ariel" based in Noank, CT. With friends John Carroll and Tom Ahern, he sailed Long Island Sound, Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Some of Rick's best times were spent with his friends Steve Klobukowski at his family's summer home on Lake Bunggee in Woodstock, CT, and with Norm Krisher of Stow, VT and Cy Boynton of Yarmouth Port, MA. Friend Edie Godwin recalls Rick's delight in polishing his red 1971 VW "Beetle". Rick was also an imaginative chef who enjoyed sharing his dishes and recipes with family and friends.
Locally Rick played a major role during the recent restoration of the First Church of Christ UCC in Simsbury. Working with his close friend Nathan-"Dane"-Woodberry; Rick's contacts with the CT - Historical Preservation Trust enabled the restoration of the sanctuary's roof structure and initiated the now-completed renovation of the original windows.
Perhaps it's ironic that Rick's birth date was on Friday the 13th. All his entire adult life he battled his twin addictions, alcohol and tobacco. Mercifully he is now at peace. His Memorial Service is planned for 11:00 AM on May 13, 2023, with interment of his ashes in the Memorial Garden at First Church, followed by a light lunch in the church's Palmer Hall. Memorial gifts may be made to The First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT 06070 or to a charity of your choosing.