Richard Lee Dayton

Richard Lee Dayton

AGE: 81 • Newark

Richard Lee Dayton, 81 of Newark passed away suddenly at Christiana Hospital on Friday, July 24, 2015.

Richard, known by many as "Dick" or "Dickey", was born April 30, 1934 in Wilmington, DE, the son of the late Mary (Richards) Dayton Vannoy and Harold Hodson Dayton, Sr., and the late Stepfather Ralph Emery Vannoy. He graduated from Newark High School in 1952 and the University of Virginia in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He was a Gold Circle Member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He worked at Victorine & Samuel Homsey, Incorporated starting in 1957 (Homsey Architects, Inc.) Wilmington, DE, eventually becoming a partner in 1978, and retiring as Vice President of the firm in 2000. Richard's body of work in architectural design over the past four decades spans over six states, and includes hundreds of historical landmarks, corporate entities, and distinguished residential homes. Some of his recent work includes the Delaware State Monument at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA., the Carvel State Office Building, MBNA America Corporation (several multi-state sites), The Old U.S. Customs House, The Sewell C. Biggs Museum of Art, Delaware Art Museum and the Newark United Methodist Church, just to name a few of his many, many award winning projects.

Richard was a devout Christian and was a member of the Trinity Church in Wilmington, and also attended services later in life at the Newark United Methodist Church. He was close to his family and showed great love and affection for his late Mother, immediate and extended family and many great friends. Richard was very passionate about historical preservation and was heavily involved on the local level and national level with organizations that work towards preserving history. He also had a very strong interest in decorative arts and collected antiques and paintings throughout his life.

Throughout his life Richard was deeply involved with an incredible array of professional, community, and social organizations, including volunteer work:

Children's Beach House Board of Trustees 1977-2000, City of Newark Planning Commission, 1995-2000, Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art, Board of Trustees, 1990-2000, The Friends of Rockwood, Inc., Board of Directors, 1991-1999, Delaware Curative Workshop, Inc. Board of Directors, 1981-1998, Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation, 1991-1997, Rockwood Museum Advisory Committee, 1981-1993, The Octagon Museum, Washington, DC, Advisory Committee, Board of Directors, 1973-1989, President 1982-1985, New Castle Historic Review Board, Board of Directors 1983-1989, Newark Historical Society, President, 1984-1986, Wilmington Alliance to Conserve Our Heritage (WATCH), Board of Directors, 1982-1985, Wilmington Waterways, Inc., Board of Directors, 1980-1985, Greater Wilmington Development Council, Board of Directors, 1977-1985, Community Housing, Inc. Board of Directors 1975-1984, Historic Preservation Fund of Delaware, Inc. Board of Directors, 1978-1982, University of Virginia Alumni Association, Delaware Chapter, President 1974-1975, Victorian Society in America, Delaware Chapter, President 1972-1974, Christiana Community Center for the Performing Arts, Board of Directors, 1965-1970.

Dick's professional titles included: Vice President Homsey Architects, Inc. 1978-2000, AIA Delaware Board of Directors President 1979-1981, AIA Delaware, Board of Directors 1976-1985 and again from 1996-1999 and the American Institute of Architects Foundation, Board of Directors, 1982-1985 His general memberships included Biggs Museum of American Art, Society of Architecture Historians, Preservation of Delaware, Inc., Delaware Art Museum, Historical Society of Delaware, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Newark Historical Society, The Friends of Rockwood, New Castle Historical Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Robert Kirkwood Chapter President 1998-2000, Sons of the Colonial Wars, George Washington Society, LTD, Lincoln Club of Delaware, Trinity/Old Swedes (Episcopal) Parish Wilmington, DE.

Richard is survived by his brother, Harold Hodson Dayton, Jr. and his wife Betty of Wilmington; his sister, Mary Linda Priestley and her husband Everett of Lincoln University, PA; his nephews, Harold Hodson "Chip" Dayton, III and Everett Vannoy Priestley and his wife, Carol Anne; his niece, Mary Amelia "Lia" Priestley Walker and her husband, Scott Tyler and their children, David, Tommy and James Walker. The family wishes to thank caregiver Sharon Swain for her invaluable help in recent years. . He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at New London Presbyterian Church, 1986 Newark Road (Rt. 896), and New London, PA on July 30th (Thursday) morning at 11 AM. Friends may call at the church after 10 AM. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Children's Beach House, 1800 Bay Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958 or http://www.cbhinc.org. mealeyfuneralhomes.com