Richard S. diPretoro
Richard S. diPretoro
Obituary
Guest Book
Richard diPretoro Obituary
RICHARD S.
Suddenly on Sunday, June 15, 2003, age 54, of Pittsburgh; husband of Marina diPretoro; son of John and Marjorie diPretoro; brother of Bill, John, Nancy diPretoro and Ann Reinaldo; also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends received at Homewood Cemetery Chapel, 1599 South Dallas Ave, Pgh., PA., Saturday, June 21st, 12 till time of Service at 2 pm. Arrangements by TD TURNER FUNERAL HOME.
Please sign the guest book at post-gazette.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
nancy dipretoro
May 14, 2017
Thinking of you and love you always!
Janet Kruse
August 18, 2003
I have been finding it very hard to find words to write about Chico, but I do want to post something to share this grief with others of you who also miss him.
I met Chico in 1970 at Dartmouth College, and later that year he became my boyfriend when he lived on Boston’s South Shore and I was living nearby. The following Spring he joined me and a group of friends as we went “back to the land” to live hippily ever after in West Virginia.
Some words that come to mind when I remember Chico are: brave, sincere, soft-spoken, passionate, uncomplicated yet deep.
Chico had a child-like sense of wonder - he would get really interested when you told him about something new to him. He would listen attentively and ask questions and make really thoughtful comments. He was always ready to learn something new. Chico was a thinker and a reader, and spent his lifetime growing his mind.
Another word that I would use to describe him is appreciative. If you could do something that he didn’t know how to such as cook or play music or make pottery or whatever, he would be awestruck by it, and really let you know.
Chico was not afraid to undertake something which would involve hard work - he thrived on hard work. He was very brave - pretty much fearless - but not a daredevil, just willing to do anything that needed to be done.
And he was competent. He had a long resume of accomplishments and we know the many things he achieved. The first morning we arrived in West Virginia, we met a neighbor up on Chiselfinger Ridge who asked Chico, "Which one of you'uns is a mechanic?" and Chico had to answer, "uh, none of us..." (to which the man replied, What the ' ?! How the X#@! are you'uns going to survive up in the holler and none of you'uns is a mechanic?!!") So of course Chico set out that day to learn how to fix the trucks and tractors.
I also remember how straightforward and honest he was. Once the group of us played a game where you were supposed to fib as part of the game but Chico was really terrible at it! Chico wasn’t a sentimental person, and was always calm and rational, but he had a sweetness and tenderness that I think grew as he got older. He was always very generous and ready to contribute or help. Chico was a gentle person and I honestly do not remember him ever raising his soft voice. And we all remember his sense of humor and his twinkling eyes and his laugh!
I miss my unique, wonderful, and dear friend Chico. My deepest condolences to all who loved and mourn him.
Ryan diPretoro
July 31, 2003
i will miss you a lot, uncle dick. i wish that we could have seen eachother more.
love,
ryan
Janet Fout
July 1, 2003
My deepest condolences to Marina and the family for the sudden loss of Richard. May you be comforted by loving memories of a man who truly made a difference in this world. And now his spirit soars.
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Susan Friedlieb
June 25, 2003
I am grateful to have known Chico in the 70's in West Virginia. We had moved there to "live on the land" and Chico went to work in the mines so he could build his homestead at the head of Honey Run. It was a wonderful day excursion to walk up the beautiful holler, crossing the stream a few times and enjoy a fairly flat walk for little feet. He was a pioneer always, smiling and listening and ready to help. Seeing Chico at reunions every five years, he was a model of involvement in social action and environmental activism. We will all miss his smile and warm, loving personality. His good name lives on.
Edward Kruse
June 24, 2003
I feel a great loss, but also a lot of comfort, knowing that Richard di Pretoro lived his life so well. The qualities of his character that made most everyone he ever met respect and admire him--his honesty, his intellectual curiosity, his clarity of mind--were evident even in the young Chico that I got to know during our first year out of Dartmouth, the year he and I and others migrated together to West Virginia. We kept in touch over the years, our lives intertwining at various points as, for example, when we worked on environmental cases for the same attorneys. In recent years, he was one of my truest friends. He became ever more kind, affectionate, and appreciative. Although I'll miss him terribly, his example will always be an inspiration.
Dawn Northwood
June 20, 2003
Even as a naive 21-year-old, I recognized that Chico was someone special, with a unique mixture of high intelligence, warmth, humor, humility, and a highly developed sense of "doing the right thing". During his brief stint working for CONSOL, the other miners called him "college boy" because he kept trying to raise their consciousness about the inequities and absurdities of how the coal companies conducted their business. He loved salty foods! He used to say that certain behaviors were "undignified". He was a great listener, took everything in, and was able to cut to the heart of things quickly. I will never forget one of his frequent facial expressions -- total serenity -- but the wheels were always turning. He had a clear purpose, worked hard for his ideals, and cared nothing about status or luxury. This makes him a hero in my eyes. It seems unreal that he's gone.
Brian and Ellen Egan
June 20, 2003
Again and again when we think of Richard / Chico, we think of him as a gentle soul and a friend. A man without pretense. A person who we trusted and looked up to. We admired him. We are glad that we knew him and that he is part of our lives. He will always be part of our lives.
Nicolette Barth
June 20, 2003
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Chico, one of the greatest influences on my life, and my ex-fiance. He taught me a lot about alternative technology, survival skills, and he'll always be in my heart & mind. Although I can't make it to the funeral service, I'll be creating a corner in my front yard with a tree & statue to commemorate him, so that his spirit can rest as he flies by surveying our world from a new perspective.
Jennifer Young-Wright
June 20, 2003
My sincerest condolances for Richard's family. May God's peace be with you during this time of grief.
I will remember Richard as a man dedicated to the environment, and the fight to protect its beauty.
He will be missed by many.
Jon Weems
June 20, 2003
I am among the people who came to West Virginia as a result of our association with Richard ("Chico") from 1970 to 1972.
Our world has lost a dear and dependable friend, a selfless and rational man with a highly developed sense of justice.
Once when I mentioned to Richard that I felt I owed him a favor, he looked at me with total incomprehension. He had helped me in dozens of ways, large and small, but he had no concept of being owed anything.
Heartfelt condolences to Richard's parents and family and to the families of the skydivers he loved to take into the air.
Louis Romano
June 19, 2003
I knew Richard since the late 1980's. We met over a common interest: Land Surveying. I trained earlier in Surveying. He, a Professional Surveyor, encouraged me to call him sometime if I thought about getting back into the trade.
I did and spent 6 years apprenticing under him.
He trained me as a Surveyor, shepherded me through my own successful Licensing, and taught me many things. Chico was a very tolerant, persistent and effective teacher.
He was a generous man in knowledge and possessions.
As a surveyor he had an ability to get to the truth while not advocating. This, I have come to realize, is the purest sense of analysis and professionalism. He set the finest example of spirited professionalism I have ever known.
I will miss you, brother. Go with God.
Patrick McGinley
June 19, 2003
My family and I extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolances to Richard's family. Richard (Chico) was loved and appreciated by so many people for his selfless dedication to helping others, especially those coalfield folks who were oppressed by coal companies and government regulators.
I was privilged to call him friend and to spend great deal of time working with him. He was a superb scientist and a warm, sensitive and loving person. We will sorely miss him.
I will never forget the wondeful trip he and I took to Japan in the late 1980s. I have some photos of Richard taken during that trip that I would like to share.
Our prayers go with Richard and his family at this difficult time.
Pat McGinley
Sean McGinley
Molly McGinley
Suzanne Weise
John Pilewski
June 18, 2003
I share your grief, and extend my concolences. J. Pilewski / Pittsburgh Flying Club
Will Collette
June 18, 2003
I am shocked and saddened at Chico's untimely death. He won't be forgotten. He left his mark through his years of dedicated service to the struggle for justice in the coal fields.
Jane Kochersperger
June 18, 2003
Chico will be sorely missed by many for his dedication to making life better for those living in the coalfields. His contributions are too long to elaborate on here, but want to acknowledge his hard work supporting social justice and environmental preservation. Thanks, Chico.
Bruce Perrone
June 18, 2003
Your quiet, knowledgeable steadfastness will be missed in all the environmental fights to come. Your humor, laugh, and smiling eyes will be missed by everyone who knew you. My thoughts and sympathies are with the family.
Rick Webb
June 18, 2003
So long old friend, I'm sure going to miss you. Thanks for everything.
Floyd and Shirley Simpson
June 18, 2003
Richard will be missed by all who had worked with him in preserving our environment. Our condolences to the diPretoro family.
Country Mile Farm
Belmont, OH
Ann Murray
June 17, 2003
Richard was a wonderful, gentle man.
I extend my sympathy to his family . He will be missed.
Monica Willett
June 17, 2003
Heartfelt condolences from the staff and volunteer leadership of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter.
Carolyn Johnson
June 17, 2003
We will miss Richard as a friend, advisor, and superb environmentalist. He helped so many understand and fight coal mining destruction. Now his spirit will always soar above. Our deep sympathy to Marina and his family.
Carolyn Johnson, Staff Director
Citizens Coal Council
Kathy Short
June 17, 2003
Our deepest sympathy to you and your families during this tragic time. Our thoughts are with you.
Jim and Kathy Short
Beth Little
June 17, 2003
This is a great loss. Richard was so knowledgeable and helpful, he will be sorely missed.
Linda Cooper
June 17, 2003
You helped so many so much. Now, fly with the eagles where you truly belong.
Frank Young
June 17, 2003
The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy extends its condolences on your loss. Richard was a good and loved person; and was a valiant toiler for environmental sanity. We miss him beyond words.
Frank Young, president
WV Highlands Conservancy
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