Richard Greenwood

GREENWOOD, RICHARD ERIC 61, of Barrington, died at home on Wednesday, October, 22, after a battle with cancer. Rick was a devoted husband to Virginia King Greenwood, whom he married in 1978, an amazing father to their three children, and a fantastic "Grimpaw," to his two young grandsons. Rick was an avid swimmer and gardener, and had an exhaustive knowledge of music as well as many other wide-ranging interests. It was almost impossible to find a topic that Rick wasn't interested in and knowledgeable about. One of Rick's chief interests and passions was the preservation of New England's historic character, especially its industrial legacy. He and Ginny moved to Rhode Island in 1978 so that he could attend graduate school at Brown University. At the same time, he began at the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission first as an intern, then as Project Review Coordinator and finally as the Deputy Director, the position he held at the time of his death. He was also the Treasurer, and past President, of the New England chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology, the President of the New England chapter of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, and a board member of the national Industrial Archeology Society, most recently serving on the Publications Committee. He was a long-time member of the Technical Review Committee of the town of Barrington. Rick had also taught courses in urban studies at Brown University and historic preservation at Roger Williams University. He was the author of numerous scholarly articles. Before coming to Rhode Island, Rick was a historian at the National Historic Landmarks program of the National Park Service, and he was a preservation planner for the Maryland Historical Trust. Rick was born 1953, the son of Elizabeth (Ament) and the late George Greenwood. He was Raised in Philadelphia. He spent summers with his parents and four siblings on Rust Pond, in Wolfeboro, NH. Rick graduated from the Episcopal Academy, class of 1971, and in 1974 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he met his wife, Ginny, at the beginning of their sophomore year. He received a PhD from Brown University in American Civilization in 1996. Besides his wife Ginny, Rick leaves behind three children, Molly Greenwood-Whalen and her husband, Nate Whalen of Oak Park, Illinois, Sam Greenwood and his wife, Tessa Greenwood of Cranston and Lucy Greenwood of Barrington; and two grandsons, Graham and Ian Whalen. Rick is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Greenwood of Radnor, Pennsylvania; two brothers, Tom Greenwood and his wife, Christine, of Radnor, Pennsylvania and Tim Greenwood and his wife, Jan, of Coventry; two sisters, Betsy Klehr and her husband, David, of Chicago, Illinois, and Sally Hirst and her husband, Michael of Davis, California); as well as four nieces, five nephews, a grandniece and grandnephew. Rick was much beloved by his extended family. A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church at 1 Benevolent Street in Providence on Saturday, November 1, at 11 in the morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Rhode Island Food Bank and Rhode Island Historical Society. Arrangements by the Smith Funeral and Memorial Services, www.wjmsithfh.com.