Richard W. Danforth

1927 - 2017

Richard William Danforth, 89, of Hot Springs, Va., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at his residence. He was born Dec. 31, 1927, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Irving Wilkins Danforth and Elizabeth Nicola Danforth. After graduating from Shady Side Academy and Bucknell University, he joined the Army, serving during the Korean War. He subsequently became an investment manager at Moore Leonard and Lynch, where he became partner, and then headed up the Pittsburgh office of the New York firm, Blyth and Co. Mr. Danforth was extremely proud of his family's influence on Pittsburgh's development, where his great-uncle, Frank Nicola, conceived and led the redesign of what was Schenley Farms (now Oakland) and was responsible for building iconic structures such as Forbes Field, the Mellon Institute, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the University Club. Mr. Danforth's father was similarly civic-minded, serving as a board member of the Civic Light Opera Company and the Salvation Army, among other institutions. Mr. Danforth served on the board of Kingsley House in Pittsburgh and was a former trustee of Shady Side Academy. He was a member of several clubs including The Duquesne Club, The Fox Chapel Golf Club, The Rolling Rock Club, The Pittsburgh Athletic Association, The Pittsburgh Golf Club and The Homestead Club in Virginia. He was a three-time U.S. National Doubles Squash Racquets Champion, two-time Canadian National Doubles Squash Racquets Champion and a winner of the World Doubles Squash Championship. Because of his accomplishments in the sport, he was invited to become a member of The Jesters Club, an International squash racquets fraternity. In addition to being an exceptional athlete, Mr. Danforth was an avid sports fan and rooted vigorously for all Pittsburgh sports teams. Mr. Danforth was a voracious reader of books and enjoyed engaging in conversations on politics and the economy. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Leslie McCord Danforth; two children, Richard King Danforth and wife, Nicole Golden Danforth, of Ligonier, and William Wallace Danforth and Patricia McLaughlin Danforth, of Pittsburgh; and a granddaughter, Cooper McCord Danforth, of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Nicola Danforth, of San Francisco, Calif.; and his many close friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date yet to be announced.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.