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Richard Waring Obituary
He was married to Ingunn Hekneby of Norway and served in the U.S. Army as a draftsman/illustrator. He spent a meaningful sabbatical year travelling around the world, making lifelong friends along the way.
He married Joan Sperry and they lived in Willington for 22 years, until her death. An industrial arts/tech-ed teacher in Portland, Manchester, and Porter and Chester Institute, he retired from the Montville school system in 2005. As a strong advocate of technical education, he believed passionately that education was not solely for the academically talented. He and Joan were active with the Willington Seniors.
In 2009 he married Beth Gorton, spending time with her in Willington, at her home in Ascutney, Vt., and traveling the United States and Europe seeing new places and visiting family and friends. He died at home in Ascutney on July 8, 2010.
Richard loved making beautiful functional things which he shared broadly and generously. He also enjoyed soccer, swimming, sailing, skiing, kayaking, square dancing, and singing with his father in the Nayaug Men's Choir. He was a dedicated environmental steward. He will be remembered with love by his family and those his life touched as teacher and friend, especially for his delightful smile, sense of humor, and his giving heart. He cared for family, friends, and strangers alike, quietly promoting their well being and dreams.
Richard is survived by his wife, Beth; brothers, Peter Waring of Fairfield, Calif., and Michael Waring of Santa Monica, Calif.; and sister, DD Waring of Pine City, N.Y.; children, Wayne Sperry of Atlanta, Ga., Sharon Kleszcz of The Villages, Fla., and Kevin Sperry of Ashford; and three beloved granddaughters.
Memorial services to celebrate his life will be at 4 p.m. on July 17 at Storrs Friends Meeting in Connecticut and at 10 a.m. on July 18 at Quaker City-Unity Friends Meeting in Unity, N.H.
Donations may be made in his memory to VT/NH Hospice, 66 Benning St., West Lebanon NH 03784 or the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 91, Ascutney VT 05030, who treated him with courtesy, dignity, and respect during his final illness.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Waring
Angela Thornton
April 4, 2024
"Waring" was a favorite teacher and mentor to my HS bestie and I. I will always treasure FIRST Robotics, our trips, and classes we took. It was a joy for my friend and I to excell in class and "Show the Boys". (We often visited my Mom who was a cafeteria worker, for cookies during class, sneaking out the back door). I know it's several years after Rich passed, but i often think of him and other MHS teachers. I still have my shop project to this day. Thanks Waring! You made HS fun!
MHS class of 2000
Barbara Wilcox Widler
October 23, 2010
I am so saddened to hear of Richard's passing. I am an old friend from high school and was surfing the web trying to locate friends I had lost contact with when I came across this shocking news. He was a very good friend .My sympathy to his family. Barb Wilcox Widler Jupiter,florida
July 21, 2010
Rich was my school teacher and a life-long friend. He taught me things throughout my life. He stayed at our home in South Carolina when he was down this way. He will be very much missed.
Anton Nordquist
charlie bergengren
July 20, 2010
Oh, Gosh, one of my high school heros has gone. He probably doesn't know how much I looked up to him then, and how much I appreciated his continueing friendship over the years. I really enjoyed reading the letters from the English canal trip, too! My contact with him was pretty scattered and sporadic, but this does seem sudden and un, un, just unfair!
July 16, 2010
To the family of Richard Waring
I just received news of Richard´s passing and it saddens me greatly.
I was a colleage of his at Montville High School for a few years before my retirement and though our paths did not cross often, he wrote me a lovely note on my retirement. I cherish it.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Agnes Barton
Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico
Linda
July 13, 2010
Richard was a kind and caring neighbor & friend. He willingly helped others and offered the expertise of his IA craft. I am most grateful for the help of Richard, and his son, on a small carpentry project that I needed done, while I was caring for my Mom. Not only did he assist in the project, but I learned much from that experience..... Knowledge that I will cherish and expand upon for years to come. Richard, you will be dearly missed! I offer all his family, friends, and loved ones my sincere condolences.
Sally Goodwin
July 13, 2010
Dear Michael, Peter, Dede and family,
In the Hartford Courant on Monday morning, July 12th, I was sad to see that you lost your brother Richard.
The last time I saw Richard, it was at Glastonbury Center, with my Father, in the late eighties. Though I didn't recognize him at first, as soon as he spoke, I knew by his warm eyes and wonderful smile that it was Richard.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Most Sincerely,
Sally McGill Goodwin
Lynne Mitchell
July 12, 2010
Richard Waring was my Industrial Arts teacher at Portland High School in the late 70s. He was one of the teachers that had a lasting and memorable effect on my life. By teaching me to work with my hands and wood, he laid the groundwork for a lifetime of building and sculpting. I was sorry to read about his passing and will always remember him fondly.
My sincere condolences,
Ken Peltzer
July 12, 2010
Dear Beth and family,
I remember when Rich asked us to pray for you during your illness. I was fortunate to see him at some of the homecoming events. I was a soccer teammate, and a classmate(we played the same position). I send you my heartfelt sorrow for everyone's loss. May God comfort you, and may his memories be shared by all.
Cecile and Bob Karlowicz
July 12, 2010
Dear Beth and family of Richard, Love and memories live forever...During this difficult time, may you find comfort in the wonderful times you shared. With sympathy
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