With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Richard "Dick" Harold Taylor, 91, of Derby, Vermont. Richard died peacefully at Bel-Aire Center in Newport, Vermont, on March 24, 2023, with his daughter Pamela and brother Tom by his side.

Richard was born June 18, 1931, in Syracuse, New York, to G. Harold Taylor and Pernella Bloss Taylor. He grew up on the South Side, and attended seminary at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.

He served during the Korean War on two ships: the USS General W.A. Mann, and the USS Philippine Sea. He was very proud of his service during that time, and was always quick to tell people that he had crossed the Pacific Ocean twenty-six times.

Richard's time in the Navy led him to start his family in San Diego, California, followed by a return to the Syracuse area, where he settled in Marcellus, New York. A career shift sent him to Winter Springs, Florida, where he spent a very happy twenty years with his wife, Lorie. After Lorie's death, Richard met and married Polly Morren. They spent sixteen years together in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After a bout with COVID, Richard returned to the northeast to live with his daughter, Pamela.

Richard's career focused around printing sales, which gave him the opportunity to get to know many people across the country. Making friends was something he did very well and loved to do.

Singing and service were threads that ran through Richard's life.

He participated in choirs and choruses through the years of his schooling. When in the Navy, he earned the honor of singing in the Great Lakes Bluejacket Choir. He lent his voice to a number of church choirs throughout his life, including Atonement Lutheran Church in Syracuse, New York, and Goddard Methodist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He participated in the Notables and the Chorale, both located in Marcellus, New York. He was most proud of his timewith the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Florida, for which he served as president.

Richard was a 62 year member of the Morning Star Lodge #524 in Marcellus, New York, for which he was Past Master. He was a 63 year member of Kiwanis in San Diego, California, and at Commissary Kiwanis Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as well as a member of Rotary in Newport, Vermont. In addition, he was a BSA Life Scout, a volunteer fire fighter, and a volunteer EMT.

In his time with the above organizations, he worked on myriad projects, but his favorite ones revolved around children. He raised funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, oversaw middle schoolers' creation of school newsletters, and read to kindergartners. In his later years, he enjoyed observing lessons that took place in his daughter's music studio, commenting on their progress as if he were the children's proud papa.

Richard was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Lorie; his sisters, Shirley Taylor Marshall and Marjorie Hoyt, and his brother-in-law, David Hoyt.

Richard is survived by his brother, Tom Taylor (Jill Pacholyk), of Weedsport, New York; his daughters, Pamela Taylor (Paul Strikwerda) of Derby, Vermont, and Meryl Hoverkamp (Rick) of Portland, Oregon; and many loving nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

In memory of Dick's love of reading books to children at Cavanaugh School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and for his lifetime commitment to serving the children of the world, please consider remembering Dick by making a donation to the Cavanaugh School Media Center. Please make checks out to Cavanaugh School, and send to the Dick Taylor Library Fund, c/o Cavanaugh Elementary School, 1025 School Street, Fort Smith, AR 72908. Donations may also be made to Bahia Shriners, 3101 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. On-line condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home and Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.