Richard J. Proctor Jr.

1941 - 2024

Richard J. Proctor Jr.
Richard J. Proctor, Jr., a longtime resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut passed away peacefully on March 27, 2024. Born on October 6, 1941 in Jamaica, New York to Richard J. Proctor and Edith Decker, he was 82 years old.
Richard grew up in Massapequa, New York, the eldest child of three boys. After spending two years as a cadet at the State University of New York Maritime College, Richard decided that the seafaring life was not for him and he transferred to Columbia University, where he earned a B.S. in Accounting and Business. At Columbia, he was a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and spent one year in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. Richard returned to Columbia Business School several years later to earn an MBA in Finance and he was a former President of the Columbia University Alumni Club of Fairfield County.
Richard went on to have a long and productive career focused mainly on private practice in Ridgefield and New Canaan, CT as a CPA for tax and forensic accounting. He also had a love for teaching and was a tenured professor at Western Connecticut State University where he taught accounting and taxation classes, and he was affectionately nicknamed Dr. Proctor by his students. Richard particularly enjoyed working with students who returned to school to become CPAs after pursuing another career or major. At WCSU, he was the Chairperson of the Accounting Department from 1994-2000. Additionally, he was a former member of the Rotary Club of Ridgefield.
Richard's greatest accomplishment in life was his devotion to his family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elfriede, to whom he had been married for nearly 42 years, and he was a supportive and loyal husband and father. In addition to spending time with their family, Richard and Elfriede cherished evenings out with their close friends and traveling to various destinations. They were long-time and active parishioners of St. Mary's Church and Richard had been a member of the Knights of Columbus. Richard also coached teams through Ridgefield Youth Hockey for several years and was a member of the Ridgefield Men's Club.
Richard is survived by his three children, Courtney West (Richard), John Proctor and David Proctor (Caroline) and his five grandchildren, Tyler, Logan, Oliver, Charlotte and James, who fondly called him Pops and will remember him for his sense of humor and love of spoiling them. Richard is also survived by his cherished brothers, Donald and Lawrence Proctor.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Mary's Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery; 110 North Street, Ridgefield.