Richard S. Ward, 90, of South Burlington, Vermont, died peacefully on August 5, 2015, at the University of Vermont Medical Center following a short illness.
He was born on October 20, 1924, in Montpelier, the son of Merlin and Aline Hollopeter Ward. He was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1941.
Richard was attending Syracuse University when he made the decision to join the Marine Corps during World War II at the age of 17. After the war, Richard eventually returned to his multi-generational roots in the lumber industry as Richard S. Ward Lumber.
Richard was a longtime member of the Burlington Country Club, the Ethan Allen Club, the Shrine, the Masonic Temple, the Elks Club and the Essex Rotary.
But of all things, Richards’s passion was with the Marine Corps. Richards’s military tenure with the Marines during World War II was remarkable by all standards. After boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he fought in every campaign that the 1st Marine Division was involved in throughout the entire war. His first campaign was at Guadalcanal, then New Guinea twice, Peleliu and finally Okinawa. Richard became very involved with the reunions for the 37th Special Weapons Company hosting several of these events in Florida.
Richard was married to Arlene Mae Hickey in 1947 and together they had five sons: Michael Richard Ward of Essex Jct., William M. Ward of Essex Jct., Thomas E. Ward of Essex Jct., David C. Ward of Columbus, Georgia, and Richard S. Ward of Essex Jct.
Richard was remarried in 1978 to Vivian C. Stewart and became stepfather to Lynn Stewart-Parker of Starksboro, Michael Stewart of Austin, Texas, Sean Stewart of Florida, Jeffrey Stewart of Burlington and Jamie Stewart of Burlington.
Richard has three grandchildren and 15 step-grandchildren.
Richard is survived by his sister, Lois Tierney of Hampton, New Hampshire, and Holly Ward and his wife Peggy Ward of Middlebury.
A funeral service will be held for Richard at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015. Immediately following the funeral, there will be internment with military honors at Resurrection Park Cemetery, 200 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington.
To send online condolences to the family visit www.readyfuneral.com.
