Richard was born in Americus, Georgia, on September 2, 1943, but grew up in his hometown of McRae, Georgia. Although he was an only child, he made lifelong friends that went through all twelve years of school together. The 8 friends called themselves the “McRae Brotherhood” and after years of working and raising families they reformed their brotherhood and became closer than ever. Jimmy Brown, Mike Nix, Rudy Dennis, Tuddy Russell, Bob Routh, Nick Wynne, Billy Cook and Alan Ryals have shared the past twenty years with more golf, more stories and love.
Richard went to Valdosta State University and met a new “brother” Hugh Hines. The two Georgia boys immediately bonded and after graduation they both moved to Atlanta to start their careers. Richard worked for American Oil until the Air Force called him to active duty for a little over a year in 1968. When he was discharged, he began a career with Ethicon, a Johnson and Johnson medical sales company. Being the “over achiever” that he is, he quickly moved up the ranks with Ethicon and met another “brother”, Chris Kennedy. Much to everyone’s surprise the South Georgia boy and Philly boy became fast and forever friends.
Richard was with Ethicon for over 30 years and loved recruiting, training and watching “his boys” get promoted. Upon retirement he started his own Medical Sales Recruiting firm and continued mentoring for another 20 plus years. He earned two Master’s Degrees and taught at Webster University.
Along the way Richard and Sandy made lasting friends when they moved to Bear Gully Pointe in Winter Park. Brady and Kathy Rackley and Tom and Lisa Van Der Veer became our golfing and traveling companions and we were blessed to share many of their family special events. Richard’s highlight moments in Golf are all Brady related from playing with the Pro’s at Pro-Am tournaments, Agusta National and our wonderful trip to Scotland to play six courses including the famous St. Andrews.
Richard and Sandy became members at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in 1998 and like everything else, he became completely immersed serving as an usher, elder, head of the school board, golf team member and of course the travel team. Our “family” of friends continued to grow as we traveled the world and also doing work with the Westfield House in Cambridge for four years. Now our dinner group continues to travel and share St. Luke’s experiences and families.
Richard was blessed with two boys, Steve and Chad, with his first wife Phyllis. Richard met Sandy in 1976 at an Association of Operating Room Nurses Meeting in Anaheim, California; Disneyland to be exact. Two years later they were married on August 10, 1978, and Richard became a “father” to Sandy’s two boys, Scott and Randy. We were blessed that the four boys who were ages 11,10, 9 and 7 when we married, have grown up closely as true brothers. Richard also acquired a sister, Suzanne (Sandy’s sister who is 18 years younger), who was as much a sister to the boys because she is so close to their age.
Richard went from being an only child to a Father of Four, Brother to One, Grandfather to 12, Great Granddaddy to 6, Uncle to 3 and Great-Uncle to 4. So now a family of 40+ and growing! He was truly blessed and will be missed by so many for his smile, his jokes, his whistling and his love for family and friends.
Richard peacefully passed at home with Sandy by his side in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 4, 2025. A service will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (2021 W. State Road 426, Oviedo, FL 32765) at 2:00pm on Friday, January 17, 2025, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Reception in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at the Church. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to watch virtually, send an email to randy@hoytbryan.com and his son will provide a link for the service.
The family asks that you please donate to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Richard’s honor in lieu of flowers.
Previous Events
Service
17
Jan
2021 W State Rd 426
Oviedo , fl 32765
