The Rev. Dr. Richardson “Dick” Reid died on December 20, 2022, at the age of 91 (1931-2022).
Richardson was born on June 25, 1931, in Fall River MA to Rev. William Richardson Reid and Ada Florance Baker. He was born and brought up a Unitarian. As expected of the son of a minister, Richardson was active in his church attending Sunday School, church services, and all church functions. He spent most of his boyhood accompanying his father on many of his pastoral duties.
In 1954, Richardson received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colgate University (NY), following which he served on the faculty of the Bristol County Agricultural High School (MA) as an instructor in English (1956–1959). In 1959, he earned his Master of Education in History from Bridgewater State College (MA).
During the latter part of his college years, he realized that he had a deep interest in dealing with people and their relationships with life. He saw the true value of the ministry profession, this time quite apart from the feelings which stemmed from admiration of his father. He then decided to devote his life to the preservation and advancement of the denomination. With this call, he graduated with his Master of Divinity from Crane Theological School, Tufts University (1965). Later in 1967, he received his Doctorate of Divinity from St. Lawrence Theological School (NY).
Rev. Reid served his first ministry at Dighton Community Church (MA) (1955–1958). He brought previously alienated persons into active church relationships and associated very well with the senior members of the church. His tenure of three years was characterized by increased membership and firm confidence.
Subsequently, he was settled minister for First Parish Church in Taunton MA, for six years (1959–1965). He stabilized the church through participation and support for a church program including plans for a church school addition. His ministry also had a strong personal and pastoral component. Thereafter, Rev. Reid served in the parish at the First Parish in Malden, Universalist, (MA, 1965–1974) and then he was a part-time minister at the UU Meeting House of Provincetown MA (1976–1980).
In 1982, he returned to the First Parish Church in Taunton to serve in a temporary ministry for the next three years, moving the church to a relatively strong position, ready to move forward toward a permanent ministry. In 1987, honoring Rev. Reid’s devoted service to the church over the years, the First Parish in Taunton honored him as their minister emeritus.
In addition to his parish ministry, Richardson was active in the Malden Council of Churches, and other ministerial and civic organizations. He served as a Probation Officer for fifteen years in the Orleans District Court. Throughout his career, he was devoted to the support and care of the mentally ill, serving as President of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and on the National Board as Chairman of the Committee for the Prevention of Mental Illness, and on the State Department of Mental Committee for the de-institutionalization of the mentally ill.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed sailing and shell fishing and most recently his favorite pastime was walking his beloved dog, Missy.
Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy Thacher Reid; his four children: David (Carol), Matthew (Charissa), Katharine Peace, and Peter (Barbara); his eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons: Steven and Mark, grandson Steven Jr, as well as his sister Betty Jane (Reid) Wheeler.
A celebration of life will be at a future date. You may register
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In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolence can be written here:
<https://www.chapmanfuneral.com/obituaries/Richardson-Reid?obId=27061251#/obituaryInfo>