Richard Berry

1933 - 2014

Richard "Dick" Berry died suddenly on March 10, 2014 at home in Avon. He lived 80 years of what he considered an incredibly full and happy life. He valued knowledge and education highly, both as a student while he earned several degrees, including a PhD, and also as an educator. He was extremely proud of his three sons, Bill Berry, and his wife Alex Berry, of Temecula, CA; Jeff Berry, and his wife Georgina Berry, of Santee, CA; and Tom Berry of Lakeside, AZ. He was devoted to his wife JoAnne, and loved his step-children, Debbie Vitale, and Kurt and Robin Erickson, all of Farmington, CT. With Joanne, Dick reveled in their 12 grandchildren: Samantha, Pedro, Warren, Katherine, Erick, Claudia, Maddie, T.J., Sammy, Ellie, Emily and Andy, and his great granddaughter, Emily. Dick was born on June 21, 1933, in Quincy, MA. He enjoyed traveling and took full advantage of his geological profession to visit many interesting parts of the world, including the Middle East, Europe, Argentina, Australia and, closer to home, Mexico and Canada. He was able to incorporate a scientist's love of the evolution of the earth into a deep and abiding Christian faith. He was a long-time professor of geology at San Diego State University, and was active in several professional societies and served as a national officer of the Clay Minerals Society. He was also active in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) as Clerk of Session, Presbytery Moderator, and twice as Commissioner to the General Assembly. He never totally lost the reserve that came from being born during the depression era in New England. He also never lost what he referred to as his "warped sense of humor" that revealed itself through innumerable bad jokes and questionable puns. He often said that he tried to live his life in a way that made a difference, in his family, his church and his profession. He tinkered. He was a parliamentarian. He enjoyed classical music. He took great satisfaction from trying to fix things, whether or not his efforts met with success. He read anything and everything. He had a sweet tooth. He had little patience with bigotry and intolerance. He tried to write. He was an able cook but he also liked to eat out. Mexican food and margaritas were his favorites. He prized integrity. He collected all sorts of things. He loved life. He was a kind and gentle man who took care of those around him. He was loved and will be missed. A memorial service to celebrate Dick's life will be held on Monday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Courant, P.O. Box 569., Hartford, CT. 06115; or to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT. 06111. The Carmon Funeral Home of Avon is caring for the arrangements. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com