Richard B. Gunter

1940 - 2024

Richard B. Gunter
June 13, 1940 - July 20, 2024
Richard (Dick) Gunter, 84, of Fairfield, died on July 20, 2024, in the presence of his family. Born in Baltimore, MD on June 13, 1940, to William and Jean Harvey Gunter, he lived in Florida, California, and New Jersey, before coming to Fairfield in 1954. After graduating from Andrew Warde High School in 1958, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve, serving for 8 years. Dick joined the Fairfield Police Department in 1963, proudly serving 45 years as a Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, before retiring in 2008
On October 3, 1964, he married Betty Kamph and they settled in Fairfield, where they raised their four children. Their union lasted just short of sixty years.
Dick attended the 110th session of the FBI National Academy and was active in the FBI National Academy Associates, Connecticut Chapter, serving as Chapter President. He was also a charter member of the Fairfield Police Explorer Post 279, where he mentored numerous members, many of whom went on to careers in law enforcement, with many becoming longtime friends. While working rotating shifts and raising a family of four children, Dick also graduated from the University of New Haven, with a bachelor's degree, and worked towards his master's degree.
Dick had a love for motorcycles, Land Rovers, and fast cars, but was later known to get pulled over for driving too slow! It was not uncommon for him to go out for a short ride and have lunch two states away.
In retirement, Dick continued to participate in the FBINAA and looked forward to the monthly PBA meeting. He enjoyed the weekly Tuesday coffee meeting of the FPD retirees. He played golf and loved to travel to Myrtle Beach and the cottage in New Hampshire. He was known for his sense of humor and liked to play jokes on friends, family and coworkers. Dick was fiercely loyal to his family, friends, and officers who worked under him. He was widely respected by those who knew and worked for him. Even if you made his vein pop, the transgression was quickly forgotten.
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Betty, daughter, Shannon Goodchild (Bill), son, Gregory (Janet) and daughter, Pamella Korchinski (Mike); and, his grandchildren, Willam Carl Gunter Jr. (McAndrew), Michael, William, and Kathleen Goodchild; Grady, Kyle, and Caroline Gunter; Micaela, Kevin, Sean, and Maeve Korchinski. He is also survived by his brother, William G. Gunter (Barbara), and his brother-in-law, Ronald T. Sullivan, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by his parents, his son, William C. Gunter, and sisters-in-law, Barbara Ann Kamph and Marie C. Sullivan.
Friends may greet his family on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield. A funeral service will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Lawncroft Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Contributions can be made in Dick's name to: Fairfield Police Cadet Post 279, 100 Reef Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com .