Richard Mcdermott

McDermott, Richard P.
Richard P. McDermott, 84, passed away at his home on September 2, 2012, after a short illness. Son of John P. McDermott and Helen Boundy McDermott, was born in Weston, West Virginia, January 2, 1928. He is survived by six nieces and nephews, Tim (Debby), Mary K. Sims, Julie Powell (Dave), Claire Wolff (Carl), Patrick and Richard (Judith), cousin Sally Mathis (Jerry), cousins Thomas Brown and Karen Crandall, numerous great nieces and nephews, and a host of supportive and loving friends around the world.
In 1946, Richard graduated high school in Columbia, Missouri, and from 1946 to 1948 was a member of the 25th Infantry Division in Japan. He received his Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing from the University of Iowa in 1960, taught for four years at St. Cloud State University, joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1964 and retired as full Professor in 1991. Richard served as Section Leader for the Superior Hiking Trail Association since 1991. For the past 20 years he has, along with other volunteers, maintained five miles of the 230-mile trail near Grand Marais. Outdoor photography and bird watching were of great interest and were the focus for many travel adventures in North America, Europe, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. He regretted that Lois, his wife of 29 years, did not share in his rich retirement life. Since 1976, restoring and residing in the birthplace of St. Paul novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald transformed Richard's life. Scholars from around the world have visited and served as catalysts for study and appreciation of Fitzgerald's life and work. Richard's burial was in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
A celebration of his life will be held at the University Club in St. Paul, 420 Summit Avenue, Sept, 30, 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to: Richard P. McDermott Fitzgerald Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation, 55 Fifth Street E., Suite 600, Saint Paul, MN 55101 or the Agnes B. McDermott Scholarship Fund, WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Pl., Morgantown, WV 26507.