DARBY, Richard Richard Emory Darby, age 65 of Sandy Springs, Georgia, passed away suddenly while on vacation with his wife, Gwendolyn Bell Darby, in Barbados on Nov. 4, 2019. Mr. Darby, or Rick as he was known by his family and friends, was born in Binghamton, New York in 1954, where he graduated from Binghamton Central High School. He went on to attend the University of Rochester where he earned his Bachelor's in Psychology and Business in 1978. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Science based on his research conducted under Alan Sloan and Michael Barnsley of Georgia Institute of Technology's Iterated Systems. On May 21, 1983 Richard married the love of his life, Gwendolyn Barbara Bell, with whom he has one child, a daughter, Kelly Meaghan Darby. Mr. Darby was a fun-loving and kind soul who enjoyed passing knowledge onto others. He was a lifelong musician, a notable percussionist, and blues guitarist. In times of trouble, he always lent a helping hand through either the American Red Cross or through his Amateur Radio Club. He taught English to Vietnamese immigrants at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gainesville, Georgia. He volunteered his time at the Dorothy Benson Senior Center where he taught watercolor and leathercraft. Also, he used his hobby as a magician to lighten the moods of those in hospital and hospice in Sandy Springs. He is survived by his wife Gwen, sister Colleen Darby Carr and her husband David Carr, his brother Brian Darby, his daughter Kelly Darby and her fiancé Stephen Asher, and his nieces and nephews Sean Carr, Erin Carr, Katie Darby, Brian Darby, Timothy Darby, Molly Darby, Ashley Bell Sailors and Casey Bell. Rick will be sorely missed by his family and friends and the community he so lovingly served. The family invites all Richard's friends to come and celebrate his life with them at the visitation at Sandy Springs Chapel on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 6 PM 8 PM and Thursday, Dec. 5, 1 PM 3 PM and at the funeral service on Monday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 AM, at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church . Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park. We request that instead of flowers, a donation be made in his name to his and Gwen's favorite charity, Heifer International at https://www.heifer.org/ . Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec. 4, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Darby

Sponsored by Sandy Springs Chapel.

7 Entries

Gary Tannenbaum

February 28, 2020

Dear Gwen,

You met me in 1979 when I came to visit you and Rick. I went to the University of Rochester (graduated in 1975). When I visited you, I had graduated law school and was considering a legal career in Atlanta. You both treated me so well, and when I saw Rick many years later to meet with him for dinner in Atlanta (2014 I believe), I was happy to learn that you and he had married. He spoke so well of you and your daughter living overseas. I was so saddened to learn of his passing. He was one of the people I meant to know better but regretfully did not get around to doing. At the U. of R., he was very well-liked. I think he displayed more knowledge of the Yiddish language there than any of the Jewish students. He was such a good person, and I was so impressed from what I read in the obit with the wonderful things he was doing in Atlanta. I wish you and your daughter strength going forward.

Best,

Gary Tannenbaum

Colleen Carr

January 16, 2020

Missing you,big brother!
You will always be a light in my heart!

December 8, 2019

My deepest condolences to all the family & friends of Rick. Kyle Clark

Leslie Green

December 8, 2019

So sorry to lose this classmate. Prayers for his family and friends for this great loss. May he rest in peace.

Martha Fortson

December 6, 2019

I will remember the kindness, time, effort and professionalism Rick gave to all of us at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Center. He and Gwen (his wife) "pulled" us from an archaic system into a more progressive one. My prayers are with this wonderful family.

December 4, 2019

Rick was a member of the Vasa #708 Nordic Lodge
and was there at gatherings with Gwen. We used to joke that we were "Rusyns" and maybe related to Andy Warhol. He was an amazing person and always smiling! For sure we will miss him.

Jan & Goran Rygert

December 3, 2019

To the Darby Family: I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rick. He was a fellow percussionist in the Binghamton Central High School band and orchestra with me, and was always known as a great guy and a good friend. We shared many good times together, and my memories will always center on his kindness and his willingness to help others. A truly good man, he will be missed by all who had the privilege to know and interact with him.. Rest well, my friend Rick.

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