Richard Heath

RICHARD HOLLINGSWORTH HEATH

Known during his many years in Mergers and Aquisitions at Dupont in Wilmington, Delaware as "The Hammer", Richard was a quiet and peaceful man. His refined aesthetic sensibilities and artistic talent were inherited from his mother, Winifred, while his attention to detail and Mr. Fix It skills came from his father, George. After his parents' deaths when Richard and his brother Geoffrey were in their early 20s, Richard married Brenda Lukins and struck a happy chord in that union until her fatal car accident in 1990.
Only three years later, he met Diane Ariel of Bucks County, Pennsylvania while they were each visiting friends in Prescott, Arizona. That was just the beginning of their 28 years of adventures in the southwest while hiking, exploring the geology and archaeological sites and rafting the rivers.
Moving to Santa Fe NM in 2015 came about after several years based in Switzerland and then Ecuador where the opportunities for travel and exploration were many and satisfied Richard's deep appreciation for the arts, old maps, metal work, music and mountains.
While walking together on the Norski trail above Santa Fe a few years ago Richard and Diane met a volunteer for the Santa Fe National Forest trail maintenance team who agreed he was in need of help. Within a week, Richard was signed up, had his hardhat and was on the job 2 to 3 days a week. During that season and the next, Richard and his cohort worked harmoniously using only hand powered tools to avoid risk of fire to clear and widen the trail that had been neglected for years.
This year after an active summer with visits to family and friends, the diagnosis of stage four cancer was a huge surprise. Our precious four-year-old grandson, Candide, was nearby during Richard's last months sharing his love and wonderful spirit. Richard died peacefully at home.
Due to Covid, friends and family will convene in the spring and walk together in the great out of doors sharing memories, stories and blessings.
A memorial bench honoring Richard will be installed this year in a scenic location on one of the trails where he worked.