Richard Owen "Rick" Davis

Rick was a true Renaissance man. Over the course of his 76 years he lived an active and involved life.

Fresh out of the Quaker Friends School in Baltimore, he became involved in the peace movement in NYC in the late '60's, counting a number of activists such as Abby Hoffman, Igal Roodenko, and Bayard Rustin as his friends. At 19, Rick was clubbed by a policeman at a protest and Phillip Berrigan put himself between the teenager and the cop. Rick hid the scar on his face from that encounter with a beard for the rest of his life.

Rick competed in archery, built race cars, and raced successfully in Canada, becoming one of Canada's top Formula Ford drivers. He worked in the Adirondack backcountry as a ski instructor and with search and rescue, and taught X-country skiing at von Trapp Family Lodge, Jackson Touring Center, and The Balsams.

He was hired at Lane Series at UVM, becoming assistant director and bringing in top notch talent from all over the world. He raced kayaks and knew how to repair vintage canvas canoes. An avid fisherman, he fished for salmon in the Gaspé, and "amused fish" in numerous northern streams.

While at Lane Series, he became interested in guitar making, so he bought a kit from Martin. That sparked another career which led to beautiful acoustic guitars that are in the hands of serious players around the world. Rick edited the magazine "Guitarmaking" and ran conventions for the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans, as well as teaching guitar making classes in Seattle, WA and in Italy, which led to the launching of numerous luthierie careers. He is featured in the book "Guitar: An American Life" by Tim Brookes.

Fencing foil became his passion at the age of 60. Even though one does not start out at a new sport and become competitive at that age, he did. He was actually invited to join Canada's Vet Fencing team, but, sadly, had to decline as he was not Canadian.

Rick was a joy to have in any gathering, with his good nature, humble attitude, and wry wit. All the people who had the good fortune to spend time with him will miss him terribly.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Fox, and his stepdaughter, Natalia Hamilton.

If you want to donate in his memory, might we suggest the ACLU or your local NPR station.

A celebration of life for Rick will be announced by his family in the near future.

Honored to be serving the Davis family is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.