Richard Whitcomb
Richard M. Whitcomb of New Canaan, Connecticut, and Pocasset, Massachusetts, passed away on July 6, 2021, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Barbara O'Connor Whitcomb and the late James Henry Whitcomb. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Barbara Fishbein Whitcomb, son, Jonathan P. Whitcomb (Rachel), both of New Canaan, CT, and daughter Andrea L. Whitcomb of Holyoke, MA; grandchildren: Victoria, Joseph, Shannon, Richard, Elizabeth, Emily, and Harrison; and his sister, Barbara Jean Stoughton of York Beach, Maine. Several nieces and nephews also survive Dick. He was pre-deceased by his brother, James Whitcomb.
Calling hours will occur on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street in New Canaan, CT. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021, 10:30a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT. A noon reception will follow at the Country Club of New Canaan, 95 Country Club Rd, New Canaan, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the George Washington Carver Center. For online condolences and full obituary please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Hour & Stamford Advocate on Jul. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Whitcomb

Sponsored by Hoyt Funeral Home & Cremation Service - New Canaan.

20 Entries

Don Grace

July 11, 2024

As we passed the anniversary of Dick´s death, I am reminded of the impact that he had on my life. Dick was an inspiring colleague, friend and mentor to me. His ebullient energy, affinity for supporting students from under-served communities, and ability to knit a school community together inspired me to head my own schools and shaped my leadership journey.
In her poem, The Summer Day, Mary Oliver challenged us all with her final two lines:
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
Dick Whitcomb continues to guide my answers to that question. I imagine he is doing the same for you.

Love,

Don Grace
Former Assistant Head of SLS
Founder
Schooling for Hope

Pete Kerwien

February 14, 2023

Whit, died on my birthday and was my college roommate. Lots of fun and good memories. Peace to all of you.

Bo Lindabury

July 3, 2022

Dick did so much for so many people it can not be said in this small space

Pete Kerwien

June 26, 2022

I was his roommate at U of Bridgeport. Never a dull moment.

Margaret E Cooper

August 4, 2021

It sounds unlikely that a man who referred to his earlier self as "Little Dicky" would be a candidate for canonization, but Dick Whitcomb was a man of contradictions. He could be irreverent, disruptive and blunt, but he also had a raucous sense of humor and the biggest heart in the county. While his generosity of spirit extended to almost everyone he met, including the family he adored, his life mission was the hundreds of kids he served as coach, teacher, headmaster, counselor and benefactor.
Whether they were kids who had a bright future from the day they were born, or kids from underprivileged backgrounds, Dick was there for them. Every one of them had a gift or talent that just needed to be given a chance, Dick thought; not only did he provide an environment where they could get that chance, he harassed them until they did! (He was no stranger to four-letter words, but the one word he never wanted to hear was "can't".)
Towards the end Dick talked about how he'd defied the doctors' expectations of how long he'd live post-diagnosis. He thought his relative longevity had a lot to do with attitude. "I'm too busy to die," he said. And by "busy" he meant continuing to give to others. The attitude wasn't enough to stave off the inevitable forever, but if anyone embodied the spirit of the motto of the school he loved--"Enter to learn, go forth to serve"--it was Dick Whitcomb. He has now gone forth to another place, but he leaves behind a legacy of that motto that is second to none.

David Wallman

July 21, 2021

I played football for him at Saint Luke's when he was the head coach in his 20's. My mother thought he was deliriously handsome. He was a warm and kind person with a very positive attitude. He eventually became headmaster and changed the school from a small boy's school attempting to model itself after Groton. He brought it into the 20th century. My condolences to Jonathan.

Eric Angione

July 16, 2021

Our sincerest condolences to the Whitcomb family. "Coach" Whitcomb will be sorely missed by all of us who have been touched by his charity, kindness and mentoring.

I had the opportunity of attending St Luke´s under Mr Whitcomb´s tutelage from 1973-1977. He was very instrumental in my academic and personal development.

Farewell Coach...you will be missed but your legacies will continue to touch many...

Eric Angione
Minden, NV

Bo Lindabury

July 15, 2021

Rest in peace , you will be missed by so many people because of all the lives that you have affected. Thank you for that you have done. Rest in peace Dick I will miss as well all that knew you.

Leslie Johnstonn

July 14, 2021

I was a student at St. Lukes from 1973-1975. Dick Whitcomb changed my life as he did so many others. He was the kindest most supportive man to all of us. When I was at St Lukes the student body pretty much consisted of troubled kids that weren't fitting in in the public school system. With his patience and support we turned around and became pretty darn successful. I will never forget him.

Don Grace

July 14, 2021

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Dick-helping him move through the storm of three abrupt St. Luke´s leadership changes in four years and then supporting him and partnering with him in his first years of an awe-inspiring tenure as head of SLS. With his infectious, irrepressible, and ebullient spirit, he taught me how to lead a school community through adversity. He was a mentor, a colleague, and a dear friend to me, and I feel blessed to have had him in my life. As we figure out how to move through the challenges of this time, Dick Whitcomb has much to teach us.
Love,
Don Grace
Former SLS Assistant Head
Founder of Schooling for Hope

Susan Doran

July 13, 2021

This English teacher is without words: Dick was and is simply the best man I have ever known.

Elliot Royce '79

Planted Trees

Bill Ensign

July 12, 2021

Thank you Dick for everything, especially your leadership.

SL '76

Carl Ward, Jr.

July 12, 2021

I can still hear Dick's raspy voice as he yelled down the hall to me on the first day of my senior year. "Ward, you're coming' out today. Go get yourself a helmet!" I guess I skipped study hall or Mr. Lee's English class, drove to Bob's Sports and charged the helmet and cleats to my parents.

Years later, during our dinner, I called Dick asking what grade St. Luke's started because my son Chip, in 5th grade at public school, was really bored. With no hesitation, he said sixth and bring him over tomorrow for the day. That day he met Elizabeth, my daughter. He gave her a huge hug and began counting the years until she too could enter the 6th grade.

Dick always told great stories about kids. Others, like Emil Bucci, told great stories about Dick. One Emil told me at Dick's 2016 tribute dinner was about the time one summer when he and Dick were at Dunkin' Donuts. (My recollection may be different but the visual is pure Dick.) Eating donuts were two young, previously unknown, girls, and Dick began talking to them about their school and education. Can't you see it? When St. Luke's opened that September, mixed into the student body were the two young girls.

At least we have the memories.

Kitt Watson.

July 12, 2021

Thank you Dick for all the life lessons you taught all of us fortunate enough to have you in our lives. God Bless

Kitt Diane Kittredge Ali and C

Planted Trees

joe & loretta schiano

July 12, 2021

were so sorry to hear of dicks passing . he will be missed by everyone whos life he touched . rest in peace .

Ninette Enrique

July 10, 2021

I cry tears and sadness and gratitude when I look at this picture. I never worked for Dick Whitcomb, having started at St. Luke´s the year after he retired, but as he did for so many, he took me under his wing. I feel blessed that he was in my life, as is Barbara Whitcomb, Jonathan Whitcomb, Andy Whitcomb and the Whitcomb family. They make everyone feel like family.

I will never forget that when I had my first hip replacement, he called me more than anyone else, like clockwork, every few days. He would leave messages in his one-of-a-kind voice, "How ya doin´?", and then continue with comments that would make me laugh and shake my head. He was walking sunshine and warmth.

His example has taught me that one´s legacy is not wrapped up in accomplishments, although Dick had many, but in the positive mark you leave on people.

Thank you, Dick. I was never one of your employees or students, but I will take your mentorship and teachings and pass it on.

You were the embodiment of Maya Angelou's famous quote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

You made people feel important, valued, and loved. You saw potential and could bring it out. You saw the heart of people first and foremost.

Anais Nin wrote, "We don´t see things as they are, we see them as we are." And you saw goodness and ways to help make this world a brighter place. Because you saw it, others could see it too. Because they saw you acting on that vision, they could do it too. The ripple effect from you goes around the globe and passes down through generations, including those yet unborn.

When you walked into a room, people would perk up, and smiles would light up their faces, in anticipation of the inevitable mischievous comment and laugh. You will remain the twinkle in people's eyes. When I see that twinkle in the future, I will see you.

Jacqueline Roberson

July 9, 2021

Mr. Whitcomb offered my son a scholarship to St. Luke´s which changed the trajectory of his life. He did the same for thousands of other kids and his support and contributions to the carver are immeasurable. He loved us and we loved Him. I am personally indebted to him for his care and concern for my son personally as well as for all that he has done for so many kids throughout his tenure at St. Luke´s ....he was an amazing man and he made a profound impact on the lives of so many disenfranchise youth. I will miss our many conversations as well as our bantering back-and-forth while he was doing fundraising for the Carver Center ....Rest easy Mr. Whitcomb you will be sorely missed by us all.

Steve Flachsbart

July 9, 2021

From the moment Dick introduced me as "a guy he picked up hitch-hiking who needed a job," I loved him. He touched and improved the lives of countless people, me among them. He'll be sorely missed. Best to Barb, Jon and Andi.

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