Richard Baker Gillett

Richard Baker Gillett, 80, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Forsyth Medical Center. Dick was born on Jan. 23, 1926, to Lawrence Arnold Gillett and Winifred Baker Gillett in St. Augustine, Fla., and spent his childhood in Cincinnati and Chicago. After his graduation from Oak Park High School in Chicago, he served in the Navy for two years. Dick received a chemical engineering degree from Virginia Tech in 1950 and a master's in business administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1952. Upon graduation, he worked for Dupont in Georgia and Delaware. In 1962, he joined R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and moved his family to Winston-Salem. His positions included sales manager of the Filmco Division and vice president of Business Development for the Archer Products Division. After his retirement from RJR in 1989, Dick gave willingly of his time to community programs. He was an active member of Winston-Salem Kiwanis Club for 20 years and served as its president in 1993 and 2006. Dick was a long-term volunteer counselor at Contact Family Services, a tutor at the Easton Elementary School and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Dick was an active member of the Moravian Church for more than 44 years, first as a member of Messiah Moravian Church and currently as a member of Home Moravian Church. For eight years, he served as the director of Planned Giving for the Southern Province of the Moravian Church. He enjoyed playing tennis at Forsyth Country Club, bridge with his foursome, reading historical books and attending local cultural events. Dick Gillett is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anna May Wheeler Gillett; and their three children and four grandchildren, his son, Richard Jr. and his wife, Sharon, and their sons, Michael and David of Massachusetts; his son, William and his wife, Nancy, and their daughter Gabriella of New York; and his daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Tom, and their daughter Gemma, also of New York. A private family graveside service will be in Salem Moravian Graveyard. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at Home Moravian Church. A reception will follow in the church parlor after the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Moravian Music Foundation, 457 S. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; or to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by Salem Funeral Home.