Richard A. McDonough
Savannah, GA
Richard Aloysius McDonough III, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Savannah, GA. Born Sept 22nd, 1942 in Newark, NJ to Richard Aloysius McDonough II and Ruth Marie Everett.
He enjoyed an incredible closeness with seven siblings: Joan Benjamin (Jim) of Columbia, Maryland: Diane McDonough of Summit, NJ; Bill McDonough (Anne) of Fort Mill, SC; David McDonough (Barbara) of Washington, DC; Colleen McDonough (Helen) of New York, NY; Nancy Hall (Tim) of Mesa, AZ; Cathy McDonough (Deb) of Conway, MA.
He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in 1960, and was named Most Outstanding Athlete, having achieved multiple All-American Honors, and winning State and Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championships. Dick attended Villanova University, where he continued his swimming success and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee, and graduated with a BSC in 1964. He earned multiple All-America Honors, was the NCAA Champion in the 1963 200 yard butterfly, and represented the United States in the 1963 Pan-Am Games in Sao Paolo, Brazil where he was a gold medalist in 400 meter freestyle relay. As a member of the 1963 United States team in Japan, he set a new American record for the 100 meter freestyle at 54.0 seconds and was a member of two world record relay teams, the 800 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay. He graduated in 1967 from the University of Michigan Law School, and followed by a 33 year career with IBM, including writing one of the first contracts for software. He was admitted to the Bar in New York, Vermont and California.
While working in France, he met his wife and the love of his life, Kirsten.
He served as Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary in Paris, France for IBM Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He retired from IBM in 2000 as VP and Assistant General Counsel – IBM General Services. In 1997, Dick and his wife purchased historic property in Dorset, Vermont known as the Norcross West Marble Quarry. Opened circa 1784, it is recognized as the oldest marble quarry in the US. They undertook substantial improvements opening it up to others to be enjoyed as one of America's finest swimming holes.
Dick was an active member at Dorset Field Club, Dorset, VT, serving on the Board and as Club Historian, and at The Landings in Savannah, Georgia. Dick was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the Villanova University Hall of Fame, and the Seton Hall Prep Hall of Fame. He had a passion for collecting anything relating to golf history, and in 2013, he co-authored with Peter Georgiady the book Great Golf Collections of the World. He has written numerous articles on golf history and collectibles, though his family jokes that his collection was out of hand.
Of all of his accomplishments, he is most proud of his children. He is survived by his wife, Kirsten, and his six children: R.A. McDonough (Gerda) of Santa Monica, CA; John McDonough (Susan) of New Canaan, CT; Craig McDonough (Claire) of Greenwich, CT; Carlin McDonough of Savannah, GA; Kara McDonough of Washington, DC; Riley McDonough of New York, NY.
He is remembered by his friends and family for his exceptional ability to put a smile on the face of those around him, and his sense of humor, thoughtfulness, and strong sense of values and morals. He never met a stranger, just a friend that he had not yet met.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Food Bank https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E19923&id=2
Funeral mass will take place Monday, April 5, 11 am at St. James Catholic Church in Savannah, Georgia (masks required) and livestreamed. His ashes will be properly buried in Dorset, Vermont.
Savannah Morning News
Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at
savannahnow.com/obituaries