Richard (Rich/Richie) E. Tarrant

On August 12, 2025, just days after his 83rd birthday, Richard E. Tarrant Sr. passed away at his home in Hillsboro Beach, Florida surrounded by his family. Born in Newark, New Jersey on August 6, 1942, Rich was proud to be a first-generation Irish-American. The oldest of four boys, he graduated from St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark before enrolling at New York basketball powerhouse Saint Bonaventure University in 1960.

After his freshman year at St. Bonnie's, Rich realized he'd need a scholarship to continue his education. Disappointed to learn St. Bonnie's would not guarantee a scholarship, he applied for a transfer to several other colleges. St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont came through with a full scholarship, and the rest is basketball history. Leading St. Mike's Purple Knights to multiple titles, "Richie the Robot" was named to the All-American Team in 1965 and drafted by the Boston Celtics as a fourth-round draft choice immediately after graduation. He played with Celtics greats Casey Jones, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, and Bill Russell. After being released at the end of pre-season, Rich went directly from the Celtics' offices to IBM's Boston Regional Headquarters, and although he didn't have an appointment for an interview, the Regional Director met with him and hired him on the spot, thus setting the stage for Rich's next chapter.

Rich excelled at selling computers in rural Vermont in the mid-1960's - no easy feat. He was repeatedly named Salesman of the Year before leaving IBM in 1969 to start what became IDX Systems Corporation. With thousands of employees and offices worldwide, under Rich's guidance, IDX flourished in early healthcare information technology. The company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995, and in 2005 was acquired by GE Healthcare.

Rich then turned his attention to national healthcare. Hoping to impact the broken American healthcare system through a national pulpit, he ran unsuccessfully for Vermont's U.S. Senate seat in 2006. Never one to let adversity get in his way, Rich went on to found Marathon Health based in Winooski, Vermont. The company's on-site clinics for corporations and government entities proved that managing healthcare on a personal level was far more effective than the existing American healthcare bureaucracy. To encourage entrepreneurship, Rich also invested in and mentored many other fledgling companies.

Rich felt strongly that his good fortune came with responsibilities. Along with his wife Deb, he established the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation in 2005. Hundreds of non-profits have received funding from the Tarrant Foundation. In addition, the Foundation made a lasting impact on Vermont's education system through the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education. As Rich's brainchild, the Institute partnered with the University of Vermont to train teachers across the state using interactive technology in the classroom and allowing students to learn and excel in non-traditional ways. Through the Foundation, Rich was also the creative force behind the recently released documentary "Gone Guys". The film highlights the disenfranchised state young men across America face due to the current social climate and the lack of clear paths to successful manhood. "Gone Guys" was received to critical acclaim, winning the award for Best Documentary Feature at the Vermont Film Festival on the very day of Rich's passing.

Rich was a master jokester with a zest for life that was contagious. As a member of the Boca Raton Economic Roundtable (aka Scuttlebutt) since 2006, he especially relished his role as unofficial court jester while sharing insights on economic and world issues.

Although Rich was tremendously successful in business and philanthropic ventures, his family is what brought him true joy. He is survived by Deb Tarrant (nee Deborah Miles Messner), his wife and partner of 28 years, his former wife Amy Tarrant (nee Amy Fayette), and seven children - Jerry Tarrant (Lori), Rich Tarrant Jr. (Tracy), Brian Tarrant (Christina), Ellen Ludwig (Derek), Audrey Williams (Basil), Tori Messner (Natalia), and Kyle Messner (Amanda). His 12 grandchildren (with number 13 on the way) meant the world to him and gave him endless delight - Gretchen, Claudia, Anisa, Cole, Lily, Nina, Vera, Eva, London, Ariana, Jasmine, and Miles.

Rich leaves a legacy of profound impact on thousands of lives. With a ready smile and a giving heart, at 6'6" he was larger-than-life with charisma to match. He was truly a "giant among men".

A memorial service to say goodbye to Rich will be held at St. Michael's Chapel in Colchester, Vermont on October 4 at 10:30 a.m.

St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, 810 Campus Road, Colchester, VT 05439

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Vermont Community Foundation through the Rich Tarrant Memorial Fund. Donations can be made to:

Rich Tarrant Memorial Fund, Vermont Community Foundation, 3 Court Street

Middlebury, VT 05753

Or donate online at: https://www.classy.org/give/307520/#!/donation/checkout

For online donations, please note "In Memory of Rich Tarrant"