Richard W. Sears

1943 - 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, grandfather and Vermont State Senator Richard W. Sears, Jr. Richard died peacefully at Albany Medical Center on June 1, 2024 at the age of 81, surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

Born on April 22, 1943 in Connecticut, Richard was soon after adopted by his loving parents, Richard and Charlotte Sears of Framingham, Massachusetts. Reflecting on his childhood, he expressed tremendous gratitude for his parents; always acknowledging the strong impact they had on his life. "I was lucky," Richard once remarked in an interview, "extremely lucky that my parents adopted me. Who knows what would have happened to me if the Sears didn't take me in?" This experience led him to his lifelong passion of working with at-risk youth.

Educated in Ashland schools, New Hampton School (New Hampton, NH) and the University of Vermont (BA, 1966), Richard made Bennington his home in 1971. There he started his important contributions to first the Bennington region and then to the State of Vermont.

Soon after moving to Bennington, Richard started "204 Depot Street," a residential program for adolescent youth. He served as its director for thirty-five years, during which time he made an incredible impact on countless numbers of young people.

Richard served as a member of the Bennington Select Board from 1987-1993, including serving four years as its chair. He was elected to the Vermont State Senate in 1993 and served until his death.

As State Senator, he served as the long-term chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Additionally, Richard took great pride in serving on the Council of State Government's Justice Advisory Board.

Richard loved representing the people of Bennington County and loved the Senate where he was deeply respected, and has left a legacy described by colleagues as incalculable. Voted one of the most effective legislators in the United States, Sears shaped countless pieces of important legislation that made improvements to the state's criminal justice system, equal rights, public safety and court reform, to name only a few.

In his free time, Richard was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, loved golfing with his son, trips to Cape Cod, time with his family and friends and taking cruises with his late wife Beverly but most of all relaxing by the pool with his wife, son, granddaughters and golden retrievers.

He is survived by his son, John Murphy and two granddaughters Kadin and Delilah Murphy, his sister, Irene Machemer, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Beverly (Bushey) Sears and his parents Richard, Sr., and Charlotte Sears.

Calling hours will be held on June 14 from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the E.P. Mahar & Son Funeral Home 628 Main Street in Bennington followed by a service at 1:30pm at the Old First Congregational Church at 60 Monument Avenue in Bennington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts and/or donations to: 204 Depot Street (Seall Inc.) Bennington, VT.