Richard Baldwin

Richard Baldwin

WENDELL-Richard Baldwin, 78, of Wendell, MA died May 18, 2017 after a lovely dinner with friends. He and his partner Joy Brenneman have lived in Wendell since 1982. He
graduated from The Gunnery School in Washington CT, 1956, Dartmouth College in
1960 where he majored in English. After a year of graduate work in literature at
Indiana University he switched to the Fine Art Department and obtained his MFA in
1964, majoring in sculpture.
He had two careers. He first taught art at the Wykeham Rise School in Washington
CT [now defunct] and then at Greenfield Community College until 1970. He
gradually changed careers towards counseling. He volunteered at Head Start in
Salem, OR, and then worked in the Neighborhood Youth Corps, Franklin County, MA,
the Orange Day Care Center, Orange, MA, Peoples’ Bridge Action [also defunct] in
Athol, MA and finally at North Central Human Services of Gardner, MA. At PBA he
worked for over two decades with the Family Service Outreach Team providing
outreach services to clients through contracts from the Department of Mental
Health and the Department of Social Services. While at those agencies his mission
was to help provide the best possible services to poorer families in the North
Quabbin area. He retired from NCHS in the summer of 1998 to devote full time to
art.
He was a long-standing member of the Wendell School Committee [Swift River
School] and the Art Committee at the Wendell Free Library. He enjoyed the fine arts,
music, reading, writing, walking, sailing and good conversation. Dick used humor
and colorful language to appreciate and encourage the enthusiasms of others.
He leaves his partner, Joy Brenneman, his niece, Melissa Potak of Delray Beach, FL,
Ed and Mary Cameron, Leslie and Aunt Toni Brenker formerly of Torrington, CT.
and many good friends.
Richard D. Baldwin: Artist, Naturalist, Musician, Effective advocate for children, families and education, Lover of lists
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 4 to 6 PM at Witty’s Funeral
Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA.
There are no formal services.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations and good wishes to the Swift River School,
New Salem, MA or to the Friends of the Wendell Free Library, PO. Box 133, Wendell
MA 01379.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com