Richard Gorham Higley

Richard (Dick) Gorham Higley passed away peacefully at RiverMead Lifecare Retirement Community in Peterborough, NH on June 6, 2024, at the age of 96.  Dick was born on December 27, 1927, to the late Clifford (Kip) W. Higley, Jr. and Mary Gorham Higley in Hudson Falls, NY where he was raised and educated along with his younger siblings John and Barbara. After graduating from the local high school, he entered Dartmouth College with the Class of 1949, finishing his freshman year in early 1946. An early alert from the local draft board prompted Dick to enlist in the US Navy for two years, most of which time was served at a communication base in Guam.

Returning to Dartmouth, he graduated in 1951. He was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. After graduation he joined Irving Trust Company in New York City. He continued in corporate banking for 41 years attaining the position of Vice President, the final six years as Vice president of the New York based office of DenDanske Bank, the largest bank in Denmark.

In 1954 Dick married Marcia Ackerman, his sister’s college roommate. They soon moved to Chappaqua, NY where they lived for 36 years and where their 5 children were raised and educated. An avid athlete, he was active in the tennis and platform tennis programs at a local swim and tennis club as well as serving on the Board of Directors.

Upon retirement in 1992, Dick and Marcia moved to Chester, VT where they enjoyed their new lifestyle until Marcia passed away in 1996 after 42 years of blissful marriage. Four years later Dick and Nancy (Gilbert) Carlisle, who had been a widowed family friend for many years in Chappaqua, were married. In addition to visiting national parks and several trips abroad with Nancy, Dick enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, golf and model railroading. A summer cottage in Chatham, MA enabled 30 years of family gatherings and vacation time. They spent time skiing in Vermont during winter vacations.

As a volunteer in various Chester activities, he also served for 13 years as one of the three elected Town of Chester Auditors.

In 2014 Dick and Nancy moved to RiverMead a continuing care retirement community in Peterborough, NH. There Dick continued to play golf, played pool with friends and attended numerous cultural events. Dick loved being a resident for the 10 years he lived at the very special community of RiverMead.

Dick is predeceased by his parents, his brother John (2016) and by his wife Marcia (1996) the mother of his children and by his wife Nancy (2020). Surviving is his sister Barbara (Tall) Lane in Lancaster, PA. Also, his children Pamela (D. Scott Powell) Bolton, MA; Anne (William P. Johnson) New Boston, NH and her twin brother Jonathan, Keene NH; David (Amy Carver) Boynton Beach, FL; and Douglas (Dr Heather Prouty) Portland OR; also, by eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Cynthia (Carlisle) Lovitz of Belgrade, ME and Deborah (Carlisle) Solomon, Los Angeles, CA and their families.

Dick will be interred next to his wife Marcia, in Chester, VT. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dick’s name to Monadnock Community Hospital 452 Old Street Road, Peterborough, NH 06458.