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RICHARD STANWOOD Obituary

RIchard "Dick" Standwood, advertising leader inspired leadership in others. Dick Stanwood never had shelves of advertising awards in his office. To him, it was more important for those in his charge to succeed. As a creative leader during the 70's and 80's at the Leo Burnett Advertising Co. in Chicago, IL. Stanwood never competed against his own employees. Instead,he created competitors. A great number of his proteges became major successes in the industry. Retired Chief Executive Officer Hall Adams says "Dick Stanwood was not only an outstanding creative person and leader, he was an exceptionally talented and entertaining presenter of the work." Dick Stanwood had a style that set him apart. At 6 foot 2inches and a Kennedy-esque accent, he was an imposing figure to agency people and clients alike.Renowned for his witty, yet dead-on accurate critiques in Burnette's Creative Review sessions, he had a way of keeping the creative stars humble and the newcomers inspired. Born March 26,1927 in Needham, MA., he graduated from Dartmouth college in 1949 .Dick Stanwood came to Leo Burnett in 1963 from Young and Rubicam in New York. In 1969 he was elevated to Executive Creative Director.In 1970 he was named to the Board of Directors and in 1982 he became President, Chief Creative Officer,Leo Burnett Company USA, a title he held until his retirement in 1985. Many of Burnett's success stories on United Air Lines, McDonalds Phillip Morris and others were created under his guidance. Richard Stanwood passed away on Sept. 12, in Palo Alto CA of a lingering illness. He is survived by his wife Nancy; daughter Joann; sons Peter and Carson; several grandchildren; and a new great-granddaughter.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Sep. 16, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD STANWOOD

17 Entries

JOHN WAGNER

September 10, 2020

DICK WAS MY MASTER AND MENTOR AT LEO BURNETT. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE AGENCY I SPECIFICALLY
REQUESTED BEING IN THE DICK STANWOOD GROUP THE MOST TALENTED AND COMPETITIVE IN THE AGENCY.
THAT WAS IN 1968 WHEN I WAS ASSIGNED TO UNITED AIRLINES. I'VE OFTEN SAID THAT I GREW UP AT LEO BURNETT
EVENTUALLY BECOMING CREATIVE DIRECTOR ON THE ACCOUNT MUCH ATTRIBUTED TO THE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
OF DICK STANWOOD WHO ALLOWED ME TO THRIVE. HE WAS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL, A FRIEND AS WELL. I HAVE
MANY FOND MEMORIES OF OUR ASSOCIATION, HE WAS A TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE AND SORELY MISSED. JOHN.

April 7, 2011

I worked briefly for Dick as a copywriter at Leo Burnett. He will always be my model for the perfect creative director: cajoling, kidding, laughing, but always motivating. One of my proudest professional moments was when I presented an ad to Dick at a Creative Review session and he laughed so much he cried. Don Draper is marvelous, but Dick Standwood was the real deal. God bless him.

Allen Zeleski

October 16, 2010

"He was one of the most intelligent people I ever met, I am honored to have known him."Allen Zeleski AD

Katherine Stanwood

October 2, 2010

As an ex-daughter in law, I have only the most wonderful memories of Dick Stanwood. He was gracious to me always and hilarious and warm. I will always remember those Christmas poems! How we laughed! I loved him with all my heart and I will miss him. I wish Nancy all the very best in this difficult time. Love, Katherine

Linda Johns

September 30, 2010

It was a pleasure to have known Mr. Stanwood during my years at Burnett. I would, on occasion, fill in for his secretary, and found him to be one of the truly classy men at the agency. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Peter Hardy

September 23, 2010

My grandfather was larger than life. He was and will continue to be my greatest influence. I have yet to meet anyone as supportive and selfless to others, as he was. I ask those to remember him for his smile, humor, and kind heart. Rest in peace Grampy, you will be forever in our hearts.

Nancy and Dick in Half Moon Bay...everything was fun with the pair of them!

Candace Loheed

September 22, 2010

Dick and Pete Stanwood,his son, at the Cantor Museum in Palo Alto in better days

Candace Loheed

September 22, 2010

the dashing and legendary Richard Stanwood

Candace Loheed

September 22, 2010

Charlene Borghese

September 19, 2010

My deepest sympathy. It was truly an honor to have been secretary to RAS for several years. He will remain in my memory forever.

John Klinger

September 19, 2010

The best person I ever worked for.
John Klinger

Bruce Bendinger

September 18, 2010

coolest guy in advertising.

Carla Michelotti

September 17, 2010

Dick was a very creative, classy, intelligent, wonderful person. He inspired many, leading with dignity and grace. He demonstrated values and respectful professionalism. And, he had a great smile, and laughed easily. My God Bless him and the family he leaves behind- always.

Michael Conrad

September 17, 2010

Our decision to merge Lürzer,Conrad with Leo Burnett was based the so special people like Dick. Such decisions don't come easy. They are life-changing, tough. Walter and I loved his dry wit and felt quickly at home. Danke Dick for wanting us as partners. My life with Leo Burnett has been wunderbar.

Gerry Miller

September 16, 2010

Dick was a tall, elegant, witty man. He moved easily amongst talented creative people and put them at ease. He had an appreciation of their work which he improved through an incisive. positive intelligence. He was a civilizing influence. Unusually for people in our business, he seemed without fear or envy. He graced the place.

Bill Hamilton

September 16, 2010

Dick was a great influence on a rough around the edges young art director. He taught me a great deal and, sadly, never knew it. Peace be with you Dick.

September 16, 2010

Dick was simultaneously charismatic and revered yet down to earth. He had been responsible for the witty Piels beer advertising in New York before coming to Burnett, back then a veritable fortress of folksie midwest spokesmen like Charlie the Tuna and Snap,Crackle, Pop.. Dick single-handedly paved the way for edgier ads to be produced. It provided the creative muscle to compete with "hot shops" on the east coast and was essential to maintaining Burnett's dominance in the ad world. I was honored to work with him on Gene McCarthy's presidential campaign in 1972. Ironically, only 8 years earlier a copywriter from Burnett had written Barry Goldwater's famous slogan, "In your heart you know he'e right." While the agency itself was officially neutral several of its staff were influential in writing new chapters for the nation's political consciousness. Dick was one of them. He impressed so many of us so much in so many ways it's safe to say his like can never be replaced. I'll miss him. Dickie Harris, "69-'79.

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