Richard Clark Caldwell, 65, of Vero Beach, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 19, 2010 at VNA Hospice House.
He fought a long battle with cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Survivors include his loving wife, Judy, of 42 years; his daughter, Jennifer Chambers, and her husband, Brett, of North Berwick, Maine; his parents, Robert C., Sr. and Patricia Caldwell of Vero Beach; his brothers, Robert Caldwell Jr. (Virginia) of Punta Gorda; James L. Caldwell IV (Barbara) of Birmingham Mich.; and sister, Patricia C. Bender (Philip) of Reno Nev.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Clark Caldwell Jr.
Dick Caldwell was born on July 28, 1944 in Ottawa, Canada where his father was serving as a naval attaché to the U.S. Embassy. His early years were spent in East Grand Rapids, Mich.
In 1967 he earned a BA in English from Kenyon College. His pursuit of an MBA was interrupted by the Vietnam War, and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the US Army in 1968. He served in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer receiving three bronze stars and The Air Medal for heroism and valor.
Upon his discharge in 1972 as a First Lieutenant, Dick continued his graduate studies and received his MBA at Emory University. He began his career in the Chicago area at Container Corporation of America.
In 1975 he joined the Harris Trust & Savings Bank. During his 15 years at the Harris Bank, he became an Executive Vice President and was Manager of the Trust Division. He also served as head of Harris Investment Management, Chairman of Harris Trust Co. of Arizona and a director of Bank of Montreal Investment Ltd.
In 1990, Dick accepted a position with PNC Bank in Philadelphia and served as Chief Executive Officer of PNC Bank’s Asset Management Group. In 1998, Dick & Judy moved to Vero Beach where he was named President and CEO of PNC Private Bank of Florida. After his retirement, he remained an advisory director of the bank. He also served as a Director of the Chestnut Street Exchange Fund in Wilmington, Del.
In addition, he represented his family’s interest as a Director of Dinguss-Rum Properties, Inc., a land development and mining company in West Virginia.
He was an avid golfer and a member of the U.S. Seniors’ Golf Association. He played at Riomar Golf Club, John’s Island, Merion in Philadelphia, and The Wianno Club in Osterville, Mass.
Dick and Judy were lifelong boaters and took “Orbiter” from Florida to Maine and also into the Great Lakes. He loved fly fishing and spent many hours on the Indian River with his fishing buddies.
Dick valued his friends, and he had many. He was wonderful company on the golf course, on the water, or across the lunch table. He spoke quietly but always with wisdom, honesty and humor. The quiet strength and uncomplaining courage with which he confronted his illness was inspirational to his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the Vero Beach Community Church, 1901 23rd Street at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 25.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Church “Onward Together Campaign”, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960; Indian River Medical Center Foundation “21st Century Capital Campaign”, 1000 36th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960; and VNA & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www. lowtherfunerahome.com.