Richard Bruce Porter Sr.

Richard Bruce “Dick” Porter passed away peacefully at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by his family, on August 6, 2026. He was 87.

Dick was a lifelong adventurer, traveler, and sportsman, with a natural curiosity about the world around him. He was deeply devoted to his family and made a point of being present for the important moments in the lives of those he loved, especially his children, grandchildren, and nephews. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people and make them feel valued and heard. He loved science, medicine, astronomy, history, travel, reading, and the outdoors, as well as tennis, golf, running, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. He also loved bringing people together around good food, wine, and conversation and was an enthusiastic cook and host.

Dick was born on June 30, 1939, in Wilmington, Delaware, to the late Frances Wood Porter and Calvin Porter. An active child and accomplished athlete, he excelled in swimming, cross-country, and track. He studied at Wesley Junior College, the University of Delaware, and Greensboro College, where he earned a BS in biology, followed by graduate study in marine biology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also served for six years in the Army National Guard with a MASH hospital unit. While at Greensboro College, Dick met his first wife, Jane, and they had two children, Richard, Jr. and Kimberly.

Dick built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry before moving into medical advertising and publishing. He eventually became President and Publisher of Macmillan Healthcare Information, a division of Macmillan Publishing. In 1987, he married Arlene Jarzombek, and in 1991 they began a new chapter together, founding their own medical publishing and advertising company, Porter Healthcare Communications. They moved the company to Beaufort, South Carolina, where they worked together for the next 13 years. They retired in 2004 and continued to make the Lowcountry their home, living in Beaufort, Callawassie Island, and later Daniel Island, South Carolina. In 2025, they moved to Wilmington, North Carolina.

Dick believed strongly in giving back to his community. He volunteered with many organizations including Second Helpings, Volunteers in Medicine, Habitat for Humanity, Hunting Island Sea Turtle Watch, the Daniel Island Historical Society, and the Charleston Guardian ad Litem program, where he advocated for children in need. He was particularly passionate about preserving local history. After noticing the deterioration of the historic Lesesne Cemetery on Daniel Island, Dick made it his personal mission to care for the site. He spent countless hours clearing overgrown vegetation, cleaning headstones, and working to protect several other Daniel Island cemeteries, some dating back to the 1700s. His dedication to restoring the cemeteries and honoring those buried there led to his being the first person recognized through the Daniel Island Historical Society’s History Heroes program.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Arlene, of 38 years; his children, Richard Porter, Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Kimberly Porter and her husband, Brad Kiger, of Weaverville, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Kara, Jacob, and Miller Porter; and his sister, Gail O’Brien and her husband, John, of Easton, Maryland. He is also survived by Arlene’s siblings, Father Gregory Jarzombek, Geri Jarzombek and Jeannine Merkelz and her husband Curt, of the Chicago area; and his nephews, Peter Merkelz and Kevin Merkelz, all of whom he loved as family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 24 at Kenan Chapel at Landfall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Time will be announced soon. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Dick had requested that donations be made to a favorite charity.