William Conard Richtmyre

CHATHAM — William Conard Richtmyre, aged 89, passed away in his sleep on October 18, 2010, at Broad Reach in Chatham of congestive heart failure.

Born on January 14, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of Leon Clark Richtmyre and Ethel Conard Richtmyre, he grew up in Jamaica, N.Y., and Nutley and Montclair, N.J. He graduated from Montclair High School in 1938 and from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1942 with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1942 he joined the Navy, serving as a Seabee officer in the 28th battalion throughout World War II, in Iceland, England, France and the Philippines. He was part of the preparations for D-Day and landed in France as part of that invasion. He retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.

After demobilization he worked briefly for the Austin Co. and began his long association with Linde Griffith Construction Company of Newark, N.J., in 1948. The company specializes in installing pilings and other types of foundations for docks, buildings, bridges and airports. During his career he worked on projects throughout northern and central New Jersey including Newark Airport, the Garden State Parkway, the Meadowlands Sports complex, marine facilities in Port Elizabeth, Port Newark and at the Naval Depot in Earle. At retirement in 1984 he was a partner in the firm.

On January 20, 1945, he married Kathryn Virginia Smith of Glen Ridge, N.J., at a ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif. They lived in Montclair, and then Livingston, N.J., where their children were born in 1947 and 1952. After designing and constructing a home in New Vernon in Harding Township, N.J., he moved his family there in 1954. He was an active member of the Olivet Congregational Church in Livingston, N.J., and the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, serving on the Session, and various committees.

While living in New Jersey he became interested in the construction of wooden boats and built an authentic Carolina Dory. He loved taking people out in the boat and eventually brought it to the Cape for trips around Chatham and out to watch seals. Having first vacationed on the Cape as young people, William and Kathryn began frequent trips to the Cape, purchasing a second home in Chatham in 1984 and moving to the Cape permanently in 1995. His interest in the colonial and Revolutionary periods of American history extended to restoring antiques and building reproduction Shaker furniture, travel to historic sites, and researching family history. He also enjoyed photography and traveled widely in the U.S., United Kingdom and Europe. A member of the New Jersey and Cape Cod Jazz Societies, he especially loved live music.

William is survived by Kathryn, his wife of 65 years, and two children: Peter Richtmyre of Phippsburg, Maine, and Chatham, Mass., Peter's wife Jeanette; and Linda Hay of Guilford, Vt. Also surviving are his brother-in-law Woodruff Smith of Connecticut and his sister-in-law Jean Richtmyre of New Jersey and numerous nieces and nephews. His sister Ruth Combs passed away in 2003 and his brother Leon in June 2010.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.