Richard Harris Nye

Richard Harris (Dick) Nye, 73, of Salem, Va., transitioned from his earthly body on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, after a brief illness. He spent his final days at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was surrounded by the love of his family and friends as well as the gentle care provided by the doctors and nurses in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Dick was born on July 4, 1936, in Bristol, Conn., the son of the late Ronald Harris Nye and Alice Beakey Nye. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Loralynn Nye and Michelle Marie Nye, who died at birth; and a brother, James David Nye. Dick graduated from Bristol High School in Bristol, Conn., and continued his education, graduating from college with a BA in architecture from Harvard University and a MBA in marketing from The University of Hartford.
After college, Dick began work with the then infant company of IBM as a salesman, providing corporate sales training and supervision. He then became the owner and design director of a turn key contract office furnishings business, Office Furniture Plus, in Stamford, Conn., where he had the privilege to work with corporations like G.E. and Readers Digest to complete their commercial interiors. After this stint in office design, Dick followed his passion and became owner and operator of a total fitness business, Slender You, using motorized calisthenics which catered to all levels, from world class athletes to the physically challenged as well as those interested in just "taking inches off." In late 1998, Dick moved to Virginia where he obtained his life and health insurance license and become a Certified Senior Advisor. He was self-employed doing financial planning, often catering to the interests of seniors. Dick continued this career venture as he moved his family to the shores of Myrtle Beach, S.C. While there, Dick also was a substitute teacher in the Horry County Schools, working primarily with Special Education Students. Upon his return to Virginia, Dick worked with Kroger, Roanoke City Schools and most recently with Dominion Day Services, providing one-on-one support at Patrick Henry High School.
Dick was a wise man who cared and loved completely. He was full of kindness and compassion, always going the extra mile to encourage and help. Dick believed there were choices in life and he chose peace even when faced with difficulty. His life is an example and this legacy of unconditional quiet acceptance is a blessing.
Dick is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Donna Celeste Lewis Nye; son, Paul Michael Nye (Dominic) of New Haven, Conn.; daughter, Dr. Cynthia Lynn Nye (Kathy), of Unionville, Conn.; stepsons, Charles Vance Overstreet (Erin), of Harrisonburg, Va., and Nathaniel Lane Overstreet (Kristen), of Blacksburg, Va.; stepdaughters, Tyler Jackson Overstreet, of Washington, D.C., and Olivia Carole Overstreet, of Salem, Va.; and grandchildren, Lanse Michael and Michael Thomas Nye-Madden, of Unionville, Conn., Charles Blake Overstreet, of the home, Tanner Wilson Overstreet, of Blacksburg, Va., and Lacey Jo Medina, of Scotch Plains, N.J. Dick is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, the Rev. Harold Carter Lewis (Nancy), of Roanoke, Va. Others left to cherish his memory are his sister, Geraldine Nye Pedrini (Richard), of Arlington Mass.; brother, Dr. William Paul Nye (Judy), of Floyd, Va.; sisters-in-law, Barbara Redman Nye, of Forestville, Conn., and Katherine Lewis Grimmett (Rodney), of Boones Mill, Va.; brother-in-law, Robert Kevin Lewis (Kim), of Vinton, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at Unity of Roanoke Valley in Roanoke, Va., with the Rev. Diane Scribner-Clevenger officiating. A memorial service will also be held 1 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009, at the First Church of Christ in Unionville, Conn., with Pastor Thomas Dean officiating.
To honor Dick's memory, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association (http://donate.americanheart.org), in lieu of flowers. Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service, North Chapel, 540-982-2100.