Richard Walter Pierce

Richard Walter Pierce, October 18, 1932 – April 29, 2024

Richard “Dick” Pierce, age 91, born in Manchester, NY, passed away on April 29^th in Wheat Ridge, CO with family by his side.

His dedication to friends and community was second only to his dedication to family.

Dick met the love of his life, Charlene Gwilt, in neighboring hometowns in Upstate New York at 19 years old and they would ultimately enjoy a nearly 70-year marriage.

He was a talented athlete and was the first in his family to graduate college, attending Clarkson University on a basketball scholarship.

His education opened up many opportunities for him and his career took him and his family from New York to Texas, Minnesota, California, and Colorado.

He stayed involved in church, community, and athletics everywhere he lived and never forgot where he came from, traveling back East almost yearly for family and friends. He shared freely of himself whether through a call, a laugh, or a helping hand to anyone in need.

Dick will be greatly missed by his surviving wife, Charlene Pierce (Gwilt); daughters Janet Secrest and Noreen Horn; grandchildren: Brittany (Steven), Jennifer (Jesse), Lauren, Matthew, Jonathan, and Grayson (Mollie); and 9 great-grandchildren as well as numerous other family members and treasured friends, near and far.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at a later date, details forthcoming. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wheat Ridge Rotary Foundation, with reference to the Richard W. Pierce Scholarship Fund.