Dick Williams was born in Monticello, New York to Carolyn Birge and Allen Williams. He grew up on a farm in Middleport with his parents and three brothers. Dick enjoyed working on the farm, growing vegetables, and cooking the family meals when his mother was working. After starting out in a one-room school, he went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard, specializing in marine biology and working in several oceanographic laboratories on the east coast. Then he moved to Arlington, Virginia to work at the National Science Foundation. Dick was always adventuresome, doing a lot of fishing, sailing and hiking. He led many Sierra Club outings, and enjoyed travelling. In 2005 he moved to Port Townsend, Washington where he continued his hobbies of gardening, hiking and biking for a long time. But no one lives forever, and we can only be glad that he had a good life and died peacefully. Dick is survived by his wife Susan Pratt; brother John Williams; children David Williams and Rita Edwards; grandchildren Richard Williams, Alexander Edwards and Larke Williams; and great-granddaughter Amari. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on November 4 at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend.
