Richard G. "Dick" Terry

Richard Gerard "Dick" Terry passed away on September 5, 2025. He was 95 years old. Dick had a long and fulfilling life whose hallmarks included love of family and passion for the outdoors. He was a humanist who treated every person with dignity and respect. Dick took joy in simple pleasures such as a meal cooked by his wife or a walk around the neighborhood. He was always positive – he smiled often and saw the bright side of things.

Dick was born on February 15, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Gerard W. and Marian D. Terry. He grew up in the Albany, NY area with two beloved brothers – older brother, Robert D. "Bob" Terry and younger brother, John D. Terry. Dick was an easy-going middle child throughout his life. He attended Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, NY and graduated in 1947. Dick majored in History at Dartmouth College and graduated in 1951. At Dartmouth, he was a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club and the Manager of the Alpine Ski Team. He enjoyed skiing from childhood through his 80's – in New York and New England, in Utah and in Austria. Dick worked summers at Johns Brook Lodge in the Adirondacks during college. He spent the year after college doing a variety of jobs including pipeline construction, busboy and Ford assembly line.

Dick attended Harvard Business School and graduated in 1954. He made lifelong friends at HBS. He then went to work at General Motors in Lockport, NY from 1954-58. During that time, he was a member of the Jaycee's and eventually President. Dick decided to move back to the Boston area and take a job with Polaroid in 1958. He loved working for Polaroid as a Compensation Manager in the Human Resources department. He was inspired by Polaroid's technology, manufacturing excellence and employee-focused corporate culture. Dick was also a member of the Cambridge, MA Jaycee's and eventually President. He retired from Polaroid in 1996. After retirement, Dick spent nine years as an independent Compensation and Human Resources consultant for small companies.

Dick married the love of his life, Patience Alba, in 1968. They moved to Arlington, MA in 1970 and raised their two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine "Catie,", there. Dick and Patience enjoyed many activities together including attending their daughters' performances and sporting events, going to the beach and hosting movie dinner parties. Dick appreciated living in Arlington. He swam, canoed and ice skated on Spy Pond. Dick also rode his bike all over town. He regularly attended Arlington sporting and performing arts events. Dick loved to swim in the ocean, lakes and ponds…even when the water was very cold! He was a fan of musical theatre with Jersey Boys being a favorite show. Dick also liked to have his family perform and sing at UU Church events. He loved to end a summer day with an ice cream.

Dick was a member of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington. He served on several committees and eventually became Church Treasurer for ten years. Music was important to Dick. He sang in the Mystic Chorale as a bass for more than 15 years. He served on the following boards and committees during his retirement – Common Cause, Arlington Personnel Board and Spy Pond Committee. Dick and Patience enjoyed traveling both domestically (especially Cape Cod, Maine and the Catskills) and internationally (especially England, Italy and Canada). They relished the opportunity to visit their daughters in the places they lived including France, Spain, Senegal, New York City, Michigan and California.

Family was the cornerstone of Dick's life. He was a loving and caring husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten by his wife of 57 years, Patience of Arlington, his daughter, Elizabeth H. Terry, of Cambridge, MA, his daughter Catherine A. Corbin (David "Kelley") of Colorado Springs, CO, and his grandchildren, Eliza Faith and Jack Richard Royal Corbin. He was also a favorite uncle to his nephews – Richard, Jonathan and David Terry of NY, and his nieces – Jennifer and Sarah Taylor of MA, and their families. Dick is survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joann and Donald Cochran of VA. Dick was preceded in death by his cherished parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law Susan Terry and Leslie Taylor. He will be lovingly remembered by his cousins and other extended family members, many dear friends and amazing neighbors. The family is thankful for the loving care that Dick received from Mount Auburn Hospital, Sancta Maria Nursing Facility and Care Dimensions Hospice during the last months of his life.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington on a date to be determined. Details will be posted here as soon as they are available. Donations in Dick's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.