Richard “Dick” Hestwood

Richard “Dick” Hestwood, a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2024 at the age of 90. He leaves behind a legacy of love, integrity, and compassion.

Born August 8, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, Richard was the middle child of Roy and Edith Hestwood.  He grew up teasing older sister Kay and honing his sense of humor with younger brother Bill.  Many of their family memories were created at the cabin the family built on Jose Lake in Michigan.

At MacKenzie High school, he met his sweetheart Carolyn and the two were married for 68 years. As the story goes, Dick stole freshman Carolyn’s field hockey stick during practice one day and, following a first “date” meeting at the 2nd floor garbage can at their 5,000-student high school, the rest is history.

After graduating ROTC from Western Michigan, Dick asked Carolyn to marry him, and they headed off to Ft Knox for his army training.  When his commission ended, they returned to Bay City, Michigan and he went to work for his father-in-law as an insurance salesman, starting his 60-year career with Mutual/United of Omaha.  It was in Bay City that son Bill was born, and Dick and Carolyn adopted twins Christine and Kathleen.

His career took the family to Omaha and Atlanta before settling in Hummelstown, PA. Over the decades, Richard became a trusted advisor to clients and coworkers.  He was known for his integrity, expertise, and unwavering commitment to providing for his family, earning him 10 years as a Chairman’s Council producer.

Dick was not only a dedicated professional but also a devoted father to his three children, taking immense pride in their accomplishments and achievements, never missing one of their games or concerts.  He gifted each of them his strong work ethic, and shared his love of nature, woodworking, and sports with his grandchildren as well.  Dick had a passion for hunting and golfing, often traveling to the woods with his son and to golf in Hilton Head with family and friends.  Multi-talented, not many know that he was a referee for the Hershey AAA hockey team, he coached Kathleen and Christine’s softball team, was a scout leader for Bill,  and took great joy in volunteering with handicapped children through Life Underwriters Association. He was a whiz at card games and he and his wife Carolyn enjoyed getting together with friends and neighbors for game night.  Dick had a lovely baritone voice, singing in Christine’s church choirs in Hummelstown and Pittsburgh and serving as a deacon at their churches as well.  Those who knew him saw him for his kindness, his sense of humor, and the twinkle in his eye.

Richard is survived by his devoted wife Carolyn, children William (Sheryl) Hestwood, Christine Hestwood, and Kathleen (Paul) McCormack, his grandchildren, Trevor and Ainsley, his nieces and nephews and their children, and many dear friends and extended family members. A celebration of his life will be held on October 12, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the music and arts program at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Road, Pgh, PA  15241.

Dick will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his unwavering love, kindness, sense of humor and the indelible mark he left on the hearts of all who knew him