Richard Douglas Marchant, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2014, at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center just five days before his 99th birthday.
Born on June 12, 1915, in Maron, NY, Richard, or Dick (as he was known to many), was the son of Ralph and Edith (Pettit) Marchant. He grew up in East Syracuse, NY, and graduated from Vocational High School in 1932. Dick then attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1936 from the School of Engineering, at the top of his class. Following graduation, he worked in Pittsfield, MA, and then in Fort Edward, NY, for General Electric in their capacitor division.
While in Pittsfield, MA, Dick met Florence Schierloh, and they were married on July 3, 1943, in West Stockbridge, MA. They first lived in Pittsfield, and then moved to Glens Falls, NY. In 1958, they moved to Norwich, where he continued his work with capacitors at G.L.A. until 1972 when he formed Chenelec, a capacitor manufacturing business.
Dick was an active member of Rotary and enjoyed swimming, sailing and camping. He was a good natured, intelligent, positive person, which were all desirable characteristics in raising four children. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed life.
Dick is survived by his children Nancy Stutts and her husband, Joe, of Franklin, VA, Barbara Fick and her husband, Paul, of Deansboro, NY, Rick Marchant and his wife, Anna, of Cazenovia, NY, Doug Marchant and his wife, Elaine, of Norwich; grandchildren Aaron Breed and his wife, Heather, Rachel (Breed) and her husband, Pranus Rimeikiene, Glenn Fick and his wife, Carie, Brian Fick and his wife, Marie Cris, Alicia (Marchant) and her husband, Chris Lee, Ryan Marchant and his wife, Kerzia, Nathan Young, Lauren (Marchant) and her husband, Glenn Cameron, Chris Marchant, as well as, great-grandchildren Adam and Natalie Breed, Layla Young, Landon Marchant and Avery Cameron. Besides his wife, Florence, who passed away on August 2, 2009, Dick was predeceased by his brother, David Marchant.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all the caregivers at NRNC. A service will be held at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.