Richard A. Windatt

Dick earned a merit-based scholarship to attend The Pingry School and then attended Brown University. While at his first college mixer with nearby Connecticut College he met Beverley Anne Hill from Toronto, Canada – with whom he would share the next 62 years building a wonderful life of family, friends and memories.

Dick and Beverley’s early years took them to Florida where he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy serving on a Destroyer based out of Jacksonville and then to Philadelphia where he attended graduate school at the Wharton School. Later moves took them and their family to Brooklyn,NY, Chappaqua, NY, Armonk, NY, Los Angeles, CA , Rye, NY, Old Lyme, CT and finally to Essex, CT.

Dick had a long and distinguished career in Investment Banking. He spoke most proudly of his over 20 years at Kidder, Peabody & Co. where he rose to Senior Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee.

His passions included golf and over the years he was a member at Sleepy Hollow, Los Angeles Country Club, Winged Foot, Black Hall and Old Lyme Country Club (where he shot his only hole-in-one and would want that noted) and was a huge fan of Mulligans and 7 foot gimmes. Both sailing and motor-boating were also life-long hobbies and he was a member of the American Yacht Club in Rye, NY and the Essex Yacht Club. Many family memories and laughter revolved around his shouted instructions to the crew (family) like “grab the thing!”. He loved spending time with friends and family – he was a prolific talker and was truly gifted at creating meaningful friendships throughout his life and was surrounded by a wonderful community in his retirement in Essex. The family is forever grateful to all who shared their love and laughter with him – and especially to Sandy Jolie for her absolute love and devotion to our family. Thank you as well to his loving companion, Catharine Wagner, for the joy and happiness she brought to his life.

Above all he loved his family. He is survived by his son Richard D Windatt of San Francisco, CA (Jennifer Zauner) and daughter Laura Galante (Charles) of Darien, CT. He was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren: Mason, Parker, and William Windatt, and Connor, Quinn, Tyler and Eloise Galante. Not to mention the ever present dogs (German Shepherds mostly) and other pets running around the house. Dick was pre-deceased by his wife and his sister, Joan Silzer.

The family is particularly grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of Essex Meadows. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that anyone interested in doing so, consider a donation to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Norwalk, CT and/or Middlesex Hospital of Middletown, CT in honor of his late wife, Beverley