Dr. Richard Valentine Munch

Dr. Richard Valentine Münch, longtime resident of Norfolk, passed away peacefully surrounded by members of his loving family on Monday, August 28th, 2023.
Richard was born to Rose (Pugliese) Münch and Alfred Münch in Brooklyn, New York on January 7, 1934. The third of four siblings, he grew up especially close to his older brothers Fred and Andrew, and his younger sister Marion. Richard's early years were spent in Queens, New York. His family moved to Long Island for his adolescence, where he enthusiastically enjoyed swimming and water skiing at the many beaches. He attended Chaminade High School, operated by the Society of Mary, the Marianists, where he embraced a lifelong faith in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Richard graduated from Hofstra University in 1958 with a BA in Biology and Chemistry, and went on to earn his MD from Saint Louis University, School of Medicine in 1962. He was a proud member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity and made several lifelong friends during his time in Saint Louis. He started his residency in urology at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Richard married Joann Reilly on October 30th, 1965 and was soon after called to service. He served in the Army, Medical Corps from January 1966 to January 1968, a portion of that time was spent at the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Richard was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze service star and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge for his service. Upon his discharge, he completed his residency at the University of Rochester.
Richard moved his young family to Connecticut in 1970 and went on to practice urology for the next 28 years at Winsted and Charlotte Hungerford Hospitals, serving a tenure as President of the Winsted Hospital Medical-Dental Staff. In 1971 Richard and Joann moved to Norfolk, Connecticut where they raised their four children. Richard truly loved being a doctor and cared deeply for his patients, he was known in the community for the time he dedicated to them and was affectionately referred to by many as "Doc". He loved the circle of nurses and doctors he worked with, many of whom became lifelong friends. Richard cared deeply about community, in his early years he was a volunteer fireman, and he later flew to Haiti twice to volunteer his surgical services. He was a member of the Norfolk Country Club for several decades, and spent many years as a proud member of the VFW Post 296. He loved the Northwest Connecticut Community and spent many happy hours socializing with friends, discussing his favorite topic of World War II, while enjoying a beer.
Richard was a thrill seeker beginning in childhood, and his love of mechanics led to a lifelong passion for cars, motorboats and planes. He was a talented driver and pilot, he got his pilot's license in 1964 and purchased an open cockpit two-seat Ryan. He loved taking friends and family up for flights, and also enjoyed driving his motorboat on the Long Island Sound. Richard was a talented carpenter and had an excitement for barns which led to him designing and building two barns where he loved working on his many projects. He loved animals, often bringing home stray dogs as a kid, and he owned many throughout his life.
Above all, Richard had a deep and abiding love for his family: his parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, his nieces and nephews, and his children. His favorite times were spent with extended family, weekends on Long Island for visits and trips to Vermont to hunt with his brother, nephews and his children. In later years, he loved spending time with his son-in-law and two grandsons. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Rose Münch, his brothers Fred and Andrew Münch, his sister Marian Salerno, and his son, Timothy Münch. He is survived by his children Fred Münch, Jennifer Münch Langendoerfer, and Elizabeth Münch, his son-in-law Michael Langendoerfer, his former wife Joann Münch and his two grandsons Barrett and Xavier Langendoerfer as well as his many nieces and nephews.
Richard enjoyed a full life, well lived and will be dearly missed. A wake will be held on Friday, September 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Montano-Shea Funeral Home at 922 Main Street, Winsted, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Church of The Immaculate Conception at 4 North Street, Norfolk, CT, followed by a burial at St. Mary's Cemetery at 179 North Street, Norfolk, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Norfolk Lions Club at P.O. Box 399, Norfolk, CT. For information and guestbook, please visit www.montano-shea.com.
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