Richard William Davis

ALBANY – Richard William Davis, age 77, passed away Sunday, May 18, at his home in Albany, VT. Richard was born February 25, 1948, at the Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, the second son of the late Dr. Everett L Davis and Isabelle Farrar Davis.

Richard attended kindergarten at the Newport Eastside School, then at the Brookline, Mass., Baker School, and then returned to Newport to attend the Newport City Graded School when his family settled in Newport. He attended secondary school at the Sterling School in Craftsbury. After graduating from Sterling, Richard attended Vermont Technical College and majored in electrical engineering. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and during his four years of service, he was assigned to Randolph Field Air Force Base in Texas, Shepherd AFB in Texas, Plattsburgh AFB in New York, Utapaou AFB in Thailand and Loring AFB in Maine. His decorations and awards included NDSM, VSM/IBSS, RVCM, and AFM 900-3. 

After his separation from the USAF, Richard resided at the Lake Hosmer Family Farm in Albany. During this time, he worked in farming, carpentry and masonry. Richard then worked for three years in electrical wiring and appliance sales and service. Richard became certified and registered in the profession of locksmithing, holding memberships in the Associated Locksmiths of America and the Green Mountain Locksmiths association. He was employed by Total Security Inc. of Irasburg for several years. In 2004, Richard then became an employee of Butler’s Bus Service and drove the school bus for the Albany School system until his death. Richard was a dedicated bus driver over his last 20 years of service rarely ever missing a day of work. Richard was a member of the Hardwick American Legion, was a Silver Arrow Scout in Boy Scouts of America and a Boy Scout leader for the troops located in Eden. He also was a member of the Newport Post No. 798 VFW. 

Family was extremely important to Richard. He enjoyed many special times with his immediate and extended family and friends at Great Hosmer Pond in Albany. Richard loved spending time swimming, fishing and boating with his nephews and great nephews. Richard never wanted for material things and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a good steak on the fire, his favorite drink in his favorite plastic cup and an evening ride on his four-wheeler through the field on the family farm. On summer evenings, you would often find Richard at his well-loved picnic table at the lake or parked in his favorite spot in the corner of the field so he could capture the last ray of sunshine as it dipped below the horizon. The outdoors is where Richard found the most peace and happiness. Stopping for a moment and enjoying nature’s simple beauty should be something we all strive to do each day. This lesson will be Richard’s legacy to us all. 

Richard is survived by sister-in-law Mary Davis of Albany; niece Jessica Trevits (Adam) of Albany; nephew Jonathan Davis (Lindsay) of Albany; nephew Jared Davis (Tracy) of Albany; nephew Ethan Davis (Lindsay) of Albany; and beloved great nephews, Connor and Nicholas Trevits of Albany, Asa and Eli Davis of Albany and Murphy Davis of Albany. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Everett L Davis and Isabelle Farrar Davis, his brothers, Terrence L Davis and wife Jane Chouinard Davis and Blaine G. Davis of Albany. 

Arrangements will be handled by A.W. Rich Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., at the Albany Village Cemetery on July 12. 

The Hardwick Gazette