Donald M. “Don” Rich, 89, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at NHRMC. His beloved wife, Roberta, and his children were by his side.
Don was born Oct. 29, 1931, in Bronx, New York, the son of Joseph and Lillian Rich. He was a graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School and attended Georgia Institute of Technology and New York University. In 1951, he married his longtime sweetheart, Roberta (Bobbie Tick).
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 69 years; sister, Yvonne Slobody of Boca Raton, Florida; daughter, Mindy (Joseph) Marcantonio; and son, Lee Rich (fiancée, Sherrie Carey). Don is also survived by his grandchildren, Ivy (Alex) Peterson, Scott (Jill) Levenberg, Rebecca Kahikina, Lily Rich (fiancée Anne) and Hannah Rich; and eight great-grandchildren.
Our dad started out his adult life as a mechanical contractor in the New York tri-state area, but after many years, he reinvented himself several times. Don moved on to become an honest car salesman, a very personable bank teller and eventually opened his own travel agency. He was very proud of his IATA card. Don never lost his love for the New York Yankees.
A private family service was held Friday, Jan. 29, followed by internment in the Temple of Israel Cemetery.
Donations in Donald’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Temple of Israel, P.O. Box 4879, Wilmington, NC 28406; or Cucalorus Film Foundation, 815 Princess St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
The following quote by Edith Wharton was true for Donald in so many ways.
“In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.”
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
