Richard A. Billetter, 84, died July 4.
Born March 21, 1933, in Bronx, New York, Richard was a loving and dedicated husband married to his wife, Ruth, for 61 years; loving father to daughter Christie and husband Chris Brown of Lenox, son Matt and wife Sharon of Cheshire, granddaughter Kareen, and grandsons Orion, Jacob and Brayden. He is also survived by brothers Garth of Oklahoma City and David of Kyle, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
He was a man of tremendous faith; he was a member of St. Helena’s in Lenox.
He served his country in the Korean War with the U.S. Navy. From there he attended Valparaiso University in Indiana where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and later his master’s degree from RPI.
His career with General Electric spanned more than 30 years; after retiring from there, he became a realtor and worked with Isgood for many years.
Mr. Billetter was driven to serve others and respond when there was need. He dedicated much of his life energy to doing so. He served as treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and was very passionate about Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic for many years.
An accomplished athlete, Richard achieved the remarkable by competing in all (40) Josh Billings triathlons to date; ran the Boston Marathon for several years, played golf regularly, cross-country skied, and loved canoeing the Housatonic River.
He will forever be missed, eternally loved.
The funeral mass for Mr. Richard A. Billetter, who died July 4, will be held Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Church in Lenox. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Lenox Library, Learning Ally (formally recording for the blind and dyslexic), or Episcopal Relief Fund in care of the Roche Funeral Home.
To share memories and stories, visit rochefuneralhome.com.
