Richard Henry Estes, 89, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle died peacefully on December 2, 2023 at Terra Bella memory care facility in Southern Pines, NC. Richard “Dick” Estes was husband of the late Margaret “Peggy” Dunham Estes (1935-2019) and son of the late Henry and Helen Estes. Dick was predeceased by his oldest son, Richard “Rick” Estes and younger brother, Clifford Estes. He was born on June 28, 1934 in Pittsfield, MA and was raised in Windsor, MA, a small town of 300. He was the oldest of three sons.
Dick met his future bride Peggy at a Dalton High School Sadie Hawkins dance in 1951. They were married on October 22, 1955. Dick graduated from Dalton High School in 1952 and attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA, where he received a bachelor’s degree (1957) and a master’s degree in civil engineering (1967). He was a member of the Beta Gamma Epsilon fraternity and NEU Civil Engineers Society. Upon Dick’s graduation, the newlyweds began their married life together in Dalton, MA and then moved to Pittsburgh, PA for a job with US Steel. He then moved back to Massachusetts and joined Camp, Dresser, & McKee Consulting Engineers in 1959 and he retired as a Vice President on November 30, 1993, after 34 years with CDM, (now CDM Smith). He worked on many interesting projects during his career including design, engineering, & construction of the New England Fish Hatchery, the Portland Maine Wastewater treatment facility and he spent 7 months in Cairo Egypt developing a large wastewater treatment facility.
Dick and Peggy raised their three sons in their home for 36 years on Southwick Road in North Reading, MA. They attended thousands of sporting events between baseball, basketball, and soccer. The family often enjoyed a competitive Sunday afternoon playing wiffle ball, croquet and/or badminton in the backyard.
They took several memorable trips together including Hawaii, Bermuda, Aruba, Florida Keys, Alaska, Las Vegas, Nashville, Colorado, and California where they attended the Rose Bowl parade and game.
In 1995 Dick and Peggy became snowbirds, splitting their time between Port Charlotte, FL and Litchfield, ME. Dick loved to take care of his home and especially his gardens. He had an amazing vegetable garden and was a “farm to table” trendsetter. In April 2016 Dick & Peggy moved to Williamsburg, VA. After Peggy’s passing in 2019, Dick moved to Southern Pines, NC to be closer to his son and wife.
Dick is survived by his younger brother, Kenneth Estes (Lisa), Cornelius, NC and his sister-in-law, Maureen Estes, York ME.
He is fondly remembered by his two sons, Paul Estes (Alison), Pinehurst, NC and Gary Estes (Susan), Leadville, CO and daughter-in-law, Donna Estes, Williamsburg, VA, his five grand-daughters, Amy Miller (David), Kelly Estes, Colleen Estes, Andrea Cizek (Brian) and Katie Page Estes and two great grand-children, Estelle and Sean Miller. He also has several nieces and nephews who were very special to him. Family meant everything to Dick.
Dick had a calm and thoughtful presence. He was a very fair person and was nonjudgmental. He had a twinkle in his eyes, a very witty sense of humor and he loved his corn cob pipe.
Services to be provided at the Windsor Hill Cemetery, Windsor, MA in the spring/summer of 2024. The Date/Time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Town of Windsor 1890 Route 9, Suite 1, Windsor, MA 01270; ATTN: Windsor Hill Cemetery Fund
Mass 4-H Foundation https://www.mass4hfoundation.org/ways-to-give/
Windsor Congregational Church PO Box 162, 1941 Route 9, Windsor, MA 01270
ATTN: Building Maintenance.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Service arrangements are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.
