Richard E. “Dick” Waite, Sr., 91, of West Brandywine, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2015.

He was the husband of the late Ruth A. Waite, his beloved wife with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

Born on May 13, 1924, in Winchington, Massachusetts, Richard graduated from Williston Academy in 1942 and received a BA degree in economics from Bowdoin College. His college studies were interrupted by service in Europe during WW II as a combat infantryman with the 84th Division. He fought in some of the most significant battles, the Battle of the Bulge and The Siegfried Line and participated in concentration camp liberations.

After the war, Richard married and moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, to join Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s claim department as a clerk in 1948, and advanced to claim examiner and Associate Director of Field Claims. Transferring to the Law Division in 1966, he was promoted to Director of Claims in 1971 and became a Vice President in 1983. After 41 years of service, he retired and moved with his wife to Glenmoore, Pa. to be near family.

Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed extensive travels with his wife and family. He especially enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod and in Maine.

In 2001, Dick and his wife moved to Freedom Village at Brandywine. He was an active participant in the community he loved. This kind, generous man was known for his sense of humor, attention to detail and his desire to help people. He served eight years as president of the Resident Advisory Council and also served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was an avid Phillies and Eagle fan, a collector of antique banks, and found great pleasure playing bridge and poker with his friends.

Most importantly, Richard was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by his children, Kristine W. Hackett and her husband, Charles, of Glenmoore, and Richard E. Waite, Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Allison Park, Pa.; and three grandchildren, Jonathan Hackett of Des Moines, Iowa, Carolyn Hackett of San Francisco, Calif. and Lori Weigand of Leesburg, Va. He is also survived by his brother, David G. Waite of Grand Rapids, Michigan and his children, John and Steve Waite and Sally Peterson; and nephews, Dr. Alan Feltmarch of Newport, Vt. and David Feltmarch of Gardner, Mass.