Richard E. Dyer

Proud son of the Olde Dominion, Commonwealth of Virginia passed away bravely in Sarasota, Florida on September 9, 2013. He was born May 27, 1933 in Washington, DC, the devoted son to Albert Rosewell Dyer and Etta Mae Jones, both parents from Fairfax County, VA. Richard succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, which he valiantly lived with for 15 years. Dick, as his friends and family called him, attended McKinley Tech High School, Washington, DC, where he excelled in sport, specifically football. He graduated from University of Maryland with a business degree. He served in the University ROTC, before commissioning as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War conflict. As a young boy and teenager, Dick summered at the cottage his family built in Cobb Island, MD. The Atlantic Coast was always a place where he felt at home. As a father, his family’s annual summer vacation, to the joy and appreciation of his children, was often times spent on the Virginia and North Carolina seashore; he was drawn to the Gulf Coast of Mexico shores and retired to Florida’s soft sands on The Gulf-side. Dick was an easy swimmer and his children fondly recall the thrill they had riding and hanging on to their sea monster Dad’s back as he dove beneath the waves, skimming the shallow shore’s bottom before surfacing laughing and shaking off his beloved urchins. After discharging from the military, Richard made his way professionally as a successful sales representative for several corporations, AC Gilbert Toy Company, Union Carbide, and Robbins Company before coming on board as a pioneer salesman for Metal Decor of Springfield, IL. Dick excelled as a leader of sales recognition and donor fundraising products. He supported a family of six and provided college educations for his 4 children on a salesman’s income. He was honored several times throughout his career as top salesman of the year; it was during some of these Metal Decor sales meetings that Dick fell in love with Mexico’s coast line and culture. He favored mariachi music and seemed happiest eating a simple Mexican meal while listening to the balladeers. During his drive time, on the road, selling, he took to the songs by Willie Nelson and Bob Marley. He maintained a large territory in the greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. While remaining loyal to Metal Decor, he created his own sales recognition business, REDCO International, now known as REDCO Promotions. He sold a corporate concept in employee reward and donor outreach to an ever changing sales area, in which small business was vulnerable to the turnaround of US Government Administrations’ influence on demographics in this area. Blessed with innate sales skills, inspired as a young man selling Christmas trees for a neighborhood church and relying on his long standing love of his hometown, Washington, DC- before cell phones and the internet and initially before the facsimile machine- he effectively waged business in a “tough town”. Richard, or as his high school buddies nick named him, “Dead Man” (for a particular humorous kick return that went awry for a young defensive player), Richard loved sport! Most ball sports interested him. He was an avid golfer, enjoying membership at Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria, Virginia and Gator Creek, Sarasota, Florida. He was a long standing and dedicated Washington Redskins fan, holding season’s tickets at RFK Stadium. He was gifted in explaining the rules of “a game”, whether football, basketball, golf or baseball to his children and the many little leaguers he mentored during summertime baseball season. He participated in the tedious all day task, as a swim meet lane timer for his children who swam competitively. He generously and regularly supported his children’s athletic events with his time and steadfast sideline cheer. He never hovered over his kid’s achievements or struggles; but he was always there in the bleachers, pool’s edge, court side, fence line, batter’s box, first dance, wedding march walk. Throughout Richard’s life he cared for and owned many dogs, all giving him joyful companionship; his favorites Puddin, Topsy, Elsa and the love of his life, Maria. Dusty, the Dyer family mutt was an engaging nuisance which Dick and Ellie allowed their kids to have and holds forever; along with rabbits, stray cats, chameleons, gerbils, Blue Discus. Dick appreciated a good story and jokes. He was a dynamic and engaging story and joke teller. He admired Will Rodgers and reveled in political commentary; especially close to his heart was the fair shot for the small businessman. Dick was an adamantly political man; he honored two US Presidents above others, Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan. Richard converted to Catholicism before his first marriage and remained true to his faith, worshipping at St. Mary’s Church and Good Shepard Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He worshipped at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL during his retirement. He established holy forgiveness at his parish, Epiphany Cathedral; it was his great spiritual comfort to participate in the Communion of the Holy Eucharist. Richard Earl Dyer is survived by his four children: Renée J. Dyer of Oakland, CA; Cynthia Louise Dyer of Tampa, FL; Thomas Richard Dyer of Alexandria, VA; Paul Gerard Dyer of Apollo Beach, FL; his first wife, the mother of his four children, Eleanor Bickerton Dyer of Alexandria, VA; his loving daughter-in-law, Melissa Morris Dyer of Apollo Beach, FL; grandson, Troy Jared Dyer of Alexandria, VA; several generations of nieces and nephews from the Perine and Bickerton families. Also surviving dear Richard are his compassionate second wife, Geraldine Roe Dyer, her daughter Sallie Ann Roe and grandchild Dayna Hunter Sisk. Dick was fond of his close relationship with his granddaughter, Dayna, who creatively called him”Big Daddy”. On, June 27, 2013 Richard was predeceased by his beautiful and protective big sister, Alta Erma Dyer Perine. May she rest in peace and may she be reunited with her brother as she prayed and believed was God’s Plan. Richard’s family gratefully acknowledges the Administration, Nursing and Care Staff at Tarpon Point Skilled Nursing Facility in Sarasota, FL and the unceasing dedication of the palliative care delivered to Richard by Tidewell Hospice. To both of these teams, thank you for unflinchingly offering dignity to Richard’s everyday life. Our hearts are saddened with the loss of our father, grandfather, husband, friend, uncle and coach, we bid fond fare the well to a great player in life; you were our hole-in-one Pop. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The National Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). A funeral mass to be held at Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, Florida on Monday 9/16/13 at 11am.