Richard Barry Limbacher

Richard Barry Limbacher, Sr., 86, passed away unexpectedly with his loving family by his side, October 18, 2015. He was a 51-year resident of Greenwich and well known throughout the community for his service, his singing and his contagious smile.

Always the social engineer, Richard served in leading positions for the Retired Men's Association, organizing popular trips to New York City and other theater events. He was a featured singer with the RMA's Melody Men and performed at local nursing facilities, churches and other venues. As an active veteran, Richard served as financial officer for the American Legion's Scarsdale Post 52 and lead the way in constructing the Scarsdale Memorial Garden, honoring local veterans from the Revolutionary War to 9/11. In 2004, he celebrated 50 years of marriage to his longtime love, Marion Craven Limbacher, until her passing later that year. Richard was an avid traveler and enjoyed his many trips visiting his children and their families, as well as his world travels to Europe, the Caribbean and other bucket list destinations like the Men's College World Series in Omaha, Neb., with his beloved companion Leigh Retzler.

Born June 20, 1929 in Bronxville, N.Y., Richard was the third son of Carl and Beatrice Muller Limbacher. A natural entrepreneur, he sold magazines, eggs from the family chickens and other sundries to make money for himself. In the '40s, Richard joined the Victory Cadet Corps, a New York State program initiated for those too young to join the war effort to help farms cope with labor shortages. In 1950, Richard enlisted in the Air Force, serving three years as Staff Sergeant with the 52nd Air/Sea Rescue Squadron in Newfoundland, Canada during the Korean Conflict.

Professionally, Richard was vice president of Limbacher Paint & Color Works, an automotive paint company, which revolutionized the automotive aftermarket with synthetic enamels and other products. After LIMCO's sale in 1976, Richard became corporate vice president for Fibreglass Evercoat in Cincinnati, Ohio, and eventually purchased two sales force companies: Supre-Six in the '80s, and RBL Products in the mid-1990s. He opened global markets for these companies, traveling to Germany as well as several Scandinavian and Latin American countries.

Because of certain family events, Richard had to stop his college education in 1947. He returned to his studies at the University of Bridgeport in 1996, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Elective Studies as well as the distinction of being the oldest graduate in his class.

Richard is preceded by his wife, Marion; parents Carl and Beatrice; In-laws Joseph and Ann Craven; brothers Carl and Wallace Limbacher; nephews Eric Limbacher and Bobby Craven.

He is survived by his children: Nancy (Paul) Meyer of Stamford, Conn.; Judy (Kevin) Horne of Westchester, Ohio; Patty (Joe) Kujawa of Elm Grove, Wisc.; Richard (Michelle) Limbacher Jr., of Paramus, N.J.; grandchildren: Katie and Abby Meyer; Amanda, Christian and Kelly Horne; Kate, Jack and Ben Kujawa; Richard III, Ashlee and Luke Limbacher; sister Linda (John) Thompson of Alexandria, Va.; brother Bob (Joanne) Limbacher of Dorset, Vt; and his dear companion Leigh Retzler of Greenwich and her family.

Visitation will be held 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 22 at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich, Conn. A Mass with Christian burial will be 10 a.m. October 23 at St Paul's Church, 84 Sherwood Ave., Greenwich, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Honor Flight, an organization that helps veterans from all over the U.S. visit their war memorials in Washington D.C. website: www.honorflight.org. Mailing address: Honor Flight, Inc., attn: Diane Gresse, 300 E. Auburn Ave., Springfield, Ohio 45505-4703.