Judge Richard C. Wilbur

Judge Richard C. Wilbur
December 27, 2020
Sarasota, FL
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Richard Wilbur, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Otisville, NY, on December 27, 2020. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his books and family he loved so much. Known to his relatives and friends as "Dick," he graduated from Otisville High School where his athletic ability helped the basketball team to three undefeated seasons, earning him a full scholarship to Manhattan College, playing in both the NIT and NCAA March Tournaments. In his senior year, he helped the team win one of the biggest NCAA upsets in college history by holding WV's Jerry West to 11 points. He was admitted to Manhattan College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. While at Manhattan, he developed a passion for books and learning, graduating with honors. He decided to attend Notre Dame Law School, finishing first in the freshman class academically, earning a full scholarship. He graduated third in his class, and was a member of the Law Review. Subsequently, he was a Congressional Fellow for an academic year at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Inspired by JFK's 1961 Inaugural Address, A Summons to Service, and the line, "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," he accepted a position in Washington, DC in the Chief Counsel's Office of the IRS until 1966. From there he served as Minority Counsel on the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives under Congressman Wilbur Mills until 1974. He worked on major legislation in the areas of Tax, Trade, Social Security, welfare reform, and enactment of Medicare and Medicaid. He was appointed to the U.S. Tax Court by President Nixon in 1974, but severe back problems forced him to retire in 1986 on disability at age 51, halting his long term goal after retirement of returning to Harvard to teach at the law school.
His physical strength diminished over the years, but his strength of character, his humility, his kindness, his generosity, his devotion to helping those in need, his love for family, and learning never diminished. He enjoyed philosophy, politics, DVD courses by The Teaching Company, and he loved poetry. In 2014 he published a book titled, Just below the Surface: Poems Uncovering the Puzzles of Life and Honoring the Joy of Family. In a poem titled "Otisville" he wrote, "Where the young were taught of God above, and lines of class were blurred by love."
He is survived by his devoted wife, Jean; his son, Carl and daughter, Shelley; five grandchildren; his brothers, Darryl and John; and sisters, Sharon, Sheila, Donna, and Jean. Richard will join his parents, Edwin and Rosemary, in heaven. He will also be reunited in heaven with his older brother, Perry, and younger brother, Wayne.
Donations in his memory may be made to Friends of the Otisville School, 21 School Street, Otisville, NY 10963. Due to the Pandemic, a memorial service will be held next summer on a date and place to be announced.