Richard W. Shettle

1928 - 2021

Richard W. Shettle, 93, of Glastonbury, Connecticut and formerly of Hartford, peacefully passed away on December 20, 2021 at home. Born July 16, 1928 on the East side of Hartford, son of the late Thomas A. and Josephine (Janak) Shettle. He was a graduate of St Peter's Grammar School, and Hartford Public High School, Class of 1946, serving on its Athletic Advisory Committee, and was chosen as the King of the Junior Prom. While in High School he worked at various part-time jobs including picking tobacco, shining shoes, YMCA locker room attendant, and usher at the State Theater. All of which he enjoyed doing very much. Upon graduating high school, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Macon until honorably discharged in 1948. Through the benefit of the G.I. Bill, he was able to attend the UConn branch at Four Trumbull in New London and subsequently at the main campus at Storrs, both as a commuter student, graduating with a dual major in Government and Education in 1952. In 1951, while a Junior at UConn, he was blessed to be able to marry his High School classmate, Simone Cloutier (Deceased), which he shared with her for 48 wonderful years until her death in 1999. Upon graduating from UConn in 1952, he was admitted to the night class at the UConn Law School. While attending Law School he worked in the Aenta Life Contract Division and subsequently at the Travelers Insurance Company, as a claims adjuster, which he truly enjoyed. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife, Simone Shettle, his son, Kenneth B. Shettle, and by his brothers, Joseph, Thomas, William, and sister, Jule. He is survived by his son, Gregory R. Shettle, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, his granddaughter Amanda Beaulieu and her husband Nelson, and his great granddaughters, Meadow and Autumn, all of Wilmington, North Carolina. He also leaves his loving nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished, and many dear friends. He also leaves his beloved companion and very good friend for may great years, Geraldine Webster, and he always said how lucky he was, aside from his family, to have had two great loves in his lifetime. After graduating from the UConn Law School in 1956, he began a solo practice of law in Hartford. His interest in politics led him to an appointment in 1966, as an Assistant Corporation Counsel, for the City of Hartford. In 1971 he was named the first full time Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel, a position he didn't seek. In 1976 he was appointed by the Court of Common Counsel as Corporation Counsel for the City and in 1976, the Interim City Manager. His time with the City of Hartford offered him the opportunity to defend the interests of the City in many notable lawsuits and trials. i.e. Hartford Hospital Fire, Collapse of the Civic Center roof, and representing the interest of the Hartford Civic Center administration. He retired from the City in 1993. In 1994 he was appointed by Governor Lowell Weicker, Victim Compensation Commissioner for the Office of Victim Services to assist in reducing the services backlog of hearing requests. He always found time in a very busy schedule to remain one of the most active supporters of the University of Connecticut athletic programs. He was a member of the UConn Club Board of Directors for 33 years, served as Club President for two terms, and was involved as a newsletter writer, organizer, and fundraiser. He was a true Husky loyalist for 73 years, including being a season ticket holder in basketball (men's and women's), football, soccer, and hockey since 1952. He always said that he never met a person that he didn't like, and that he lived a full and happy life. He treated everyone with respect and dignity, greeted them with a smile on his face, and truly cared about people. He was a devoted Catholic and a communicant of St. Dunstan's Church and always thanked the Lord for the blessed gifts he received. He was a long time member of the Glastonbury Hills County Club and enjoyed playing golf with his buddies, although he was "never much of a golfer" (those are his words). Friends may call on Monday December 27, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Avenue, Glastonbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday December 28, 2021 at 10:00 am in the Church of St. Dunstan, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury, Connecticut with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery on Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, Connecticut. The Shettle family would like to thank Richard's APRN, Lina, for her attentive and dedicated care and his aides, Kay and Pamela, for their dedication and compassion. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the UConn Foundation for Athletics, Storrs, Connecticut or to a favorite charity of the donor's choice. For further information, or to leave a condolence, please visit FarleySullivan.com.