50.0°,
Overcast Dr. Richard S. Byers, 90
Former Rockville Centre school superintendent from 1964-77
Richard S. Byers died peacefully at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove, Pa. on Sept. 29.
Dick was born in Stanstead, Quebec, the son of Richard D. Byers and Florence Trafford Byers. He spent his boyhood in northern Vermont, graduating from Derby Academy in 1938. He attended Lyndon State Teachers College,
then completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Boston
University.
After teaching in Fairlee, Vt., Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army, training with the ski troops of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Co. After marrying Arlene (Kitty) Perry of Barre, Vt. in 1944, he served in Italy and Austria during World War II, and was heavily decorated for bravery, receiving three bronze stars.
After the war he taught and was administrator of Vermont’s Danville High School. He then pursued further education, earning his Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut.
Dick served as principal of the Barnard School in Manchester, Conn. before moving to Long Island in 1954 to become principal of the junior high school in Rockville Centre. In 1958 he became principal of Great Neck South Junior High School, and later was promoted to assistant superintendent in Great Neck. Dick returned to Rockville Centre in 1964 as superintendent of schools, a position held until his retirement in 1977. He then moved to Venice, Fla. and later to West Grove, Pa., spending summers in Greensboro, Vt. both before and after his retirement.
Dick was active in Kiwanis, the Community Church of Great Neck, the United Church of Rockville Centre, the Boy Scouts of America and other community groups. He was an avid clock collector and craftsman, and also enjoyed fishing and travel. Most of all, he loved his family very much. Kitty, his wife of 66 years, predeceased him by two months. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Wyles and sons Richard and John Byers; grandchildren Rebecca, Richard, Christopher, Scott and Emily; and great grandchildren Alexander and Sloane.
A private service will be held in Danville, Vt.
Contributions in his name may be made to the United Church of Rockville Centre, 430 Morris Ave., Rockville
Centre, NY 11570.
