Richard C. Havel

A retired educator and WW II Veteran, died on May 6, 2008 in Annapolis, MD. He was 85. Born in NYC, he had a long career as a college professor, athletic director, and coach. He was educated in New York City public schools and graduated from Springfield College in 1943, where he earned nine varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Atlas in the Atlantic and U.S.S. Capricornus in the Pacific and participated in the D-Day invasion and the occupation of Japan. Following his military service, he attended Columbia University, where he earned an M.A. and Ed.D. In 1952, he married Gloria Linwood Gilson, and their honeymoon in Chatham, MA began a family tradition of annual summer return to that seaside town. She predeceased him in 1996. He was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education at Columbia University from 1950 to 1955 and a Professor of Health and Physical Education at Springfield College from 1955 to 1961. In 1961, he became a Professor, Athletic Director, and chairman of the Division of Health and Physical Education at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. In 1970, he returned to NYC to serve in similar capacities at Hunter College of the City University of NY. He officially retired in 1992, but continued to work as an educational consultant in the Department of Anesthesiology at the Boston University School of Medicine until the age of 81. He faithfully attended reunions of his shipmates from the U.S.S. Atlas. He enjoyed college sports and delighted in the company of his grandchildren, of whom he was especially proud. Richard Havel is survived by his brother Peter of Framingham, MA, his sons Craig of West Roxbury, MA, Peter of Marion, MA, & Paul of Tigard, OR, his daughter Lynn Buckley of Owings, MD, 6 nieces & nephews & 11 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on July 3, 2008, at 11 A.M. at St. Gabriel's Espicopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion, MA