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Richard Maxwell Obituary
Richard "Dick" Maxwell
August 22, 1933 - June 11, 2025
Richard "Dick" Maxwell died peacefully at home in Greensboro on June 11, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. After his passing, his family raised a glass of his favorite single malt Scotch whiskey in his honor, a gesture he surely would have appreciated.
Dick and his twin brother Donald were the youngest of five children born to David John Maxwell and Francis Smalley Maxwell on August 22, 1933, in Johnstown, Pa.
Dick left Pennsylvania to attend Duke University, where he met his first wife, Martha Joe Padgette. They married shortly after Dick graduated with an engineering degree in 1955, and had four daughters.
After college, Dick served in the U.S. Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant, and moved to Greensboro in 1961. He started Maxwell Associates, a commercial real estate firm, in 1976. During his decades in his adopted hometown of Greensboro, Dick served as Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Chairman of the Greensboro Coliseum Commission. During his tenure, he spearheaded much of the expansion enjoyed at the Coliseum and modernized many of the services provided throughout Guilford County. Dick was a passionate leader and philanthropist, and he was active in Rotary International and Operation Smile International. He was president of the Crescent Rotary Club, and in 1996, he received the "Service Above Self" award, Rotary's highest honor. He served ten years as a director of Operation Smile International, work which took him around the globe. Throughout his life, he visited 122 countries, both for his volunteer work and the joy of travel.
He was proud to have endowed an engineering scholarship at Duke University, and to serve as president of the Duke Alumni Association. He received the Charles A. Dukes award for Outstanding Service to the University, and he loved cheering on the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium in seats he held for almost fifty years.
He married his beloved wife of nearly thirty years, Martha "Marty" Maxwell, in 1996. He and Marty shared a love of cocker spaniels, travel, good food, friends, and family. After Dick's retirement, they spent much of their time in Jupiter, Fla., where he had a home for almost 35 years and became part of the community. They also enjoyed summers in Sugar Mountain in a house he designed with a spectacular view, though they continued to travel extensively, too. Dick was enormously proud of his family, and covered the walls of his home office with photographs of his cherished loved ones. His favorite event was hosting his annual Christmas party in Greensboro for his adored grandchildren and, in recent years, great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Pops."
Dick lived a full life and his impacts on his family and community will be felt for generations. He was predeceased by his parents; his two sisters, Mary Maxwell Kinkead and Nancy Maxwell Patterson; his brother, David John "Jack" Maxwell, and his daughter, Catherine Maxwell. Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Marty; his brother, Donald Maxwell; his daughters, Susan Starr (Frank), Sandy Smith (Roy), and Page Weethee (Chip); his former wife, Martha Gelzer; and to his great pride, his 11 grandchildren, Max Perkins (Cameron), Ross Perkins (Sarah), Parker Starr (Virginia), Taylor Starr, Andrew Smith (Rachel), Martha Helen Smith, Eric Smith (Rebecca), Tyler Smith (Natsuki), Jordan Weethee (Chloe), Will Weethee (Chloe), and Alexandra Valaik (Nate); and 13 great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Robert, and Andy Perkins; Matthew, William, and Audrey Perkins; Joseph and Emma Smith; Catherine and Carl Smith; and Eva, Luke, and Virginia Valaik.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Dick's honor be made to Florida Coastal Cocker Rescue at https://www.floridacockerrescue.org or 2807 SW 39 Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914, or the Emily Krzyzewski Center at https://www.emilyk.org/donate/ or 904 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Forbis and Dick Funeral Service at 1118 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C.
Forbis & Dick Funeral Service
1118 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
August 22, 1933 - June 11, 2025
Richard "Dick" Maxwell died peacefully at home in Greensboro on June 11, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. After his passing, his family raised a glass of his favorite single malt Scotch whiskey in his honor, a gesture he surely would have appreciated.
Dick and his twin brother Donald were the youngest of five children born to David John Maxwell and Francis Smalley Maxwell on August 22, 1933, in Johnstown, Pa.
Dick left Pennsylvania to attend Duke University, where he met his first wife, Martha Joe Padgette. They married shortly after Dick graduated with an engineering degree in 1955, and had four daughters.
After college, Dick served in the U.S. Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant, and moved to Greensboro in 1961. He started Maxwell Associates, a commercial real estate firm, in 1976. During his decades in his adopted hometown of Greensboro, Dick served as Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Chairman of the Greensboro Coliseum Commission. During his tenure, he spearheaded much of the expansion enjoyed at the Coliseum and modernized many of the services provided throughout Guilford County. Dick was a passionate leader and philanthropist, and he was active in Rotary International and Operation Smile International. He was president of the Crescent Rotary Club, and in 1996, he received the "Service Above Self" award, Rotary's highest honor. He served ten years as a director of Operation Smile International, work which took him around the globe. Throughout his life, he visited 122 countries, both for his volunteer work and the joy of travel.
He was proud to have endowed an engineering scholarship at Duke University, and to serve as president of the Duke Alumni Association. He received the Charles A. Dukes award for Outstanding Service to the University, and he loved cheering on the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium in seats he held for almost fifty years.
He married his beloved wife of nearly thirty years, Martha "Marty" Maxwell, in 1996. He and Marty shared a love of cocker spaniels, travel, good food, friends, and family. After Dick's retirement, they spent much of their time in Jupiter, Fla., where he had a home for almost 35 years and became part of the community. They also enjoyed summers in Sugar Mountain in a house he designed with a spectacular view, though they continued to travel extensively, too. Dick was enormously proud of his family, and covered the walls of his home office with photographs of his cherished loved ones. His favorite event was hosting his annual Christmas party in Greensboro for his adored grandchildren and, in recent years, great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Pops."
Dick lived a full life and his impacts on his family and community will be felt for generations. He was predeceased by his parents; his two sisters, Mary Maxwell Kinkead and Nancy Maxwell Patterson; his brother, David John "Jack" Maxwell, and his daughter, Catherine Maxwell. Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Marty; his brother, Donald Maxwell; his daughters, Susan Starr (Frank), Sandy Smith (Roy), and Page Weethee (Chip); his former wife, Martha Gelzer; and to his great pride, his 11 grandchildren, Max Perkins (Cameron), Ross Perkins (Sarah), Parker Starr (Virginia), Taylor Starr, Andrew Smith (Rachel), Martha Helen Smith, Eric Smith (Rebecca), Tyler Smith (Natsuki), Jordan Weethee (Chloe), Will Weethee (Chloe), and Alexandra Valaik (Nate); and 13 great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Robert, and Andy Perkins; Matthew, William, and Audrey Perkins; Joseph and Emma Smith; Catherine and Carl Smith; and Eva, Luke, and Virginia Valaik.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Dick's honor be made to Florida Coastal Cocker Rescue at https://www.floridacockerrescue.org or 2807 SW 39 Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914, or the Emily Krzyzewski Center at https://www.emilyk.org/donate/ or 904 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Forbis and Dick Funeral Service at 1118 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C.
Forbis & Dick Funeral Service
1118 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Greensboro News & Record on Jun. 15, 2025.
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