Richard Windsor Taylor was born on November 10, 1933, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to John Clayton Taylor and Richarda Brooks Taylor.
When Richard was eight years old, he, his parents, and older brother John C. Taylor Jr., moved to Albany, New York. Youngest brother Frederick Taylor was born the following year.
Richard graduated from The Milne School in Albany, New York in 1951 where he was selected to the All-Albany Basketball Team. In high school he also played baseball as a third baseman.
He served three years in the Army Security Agency branch of the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. Following an honorable discharge, Richard completed his degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Richard had a son, Richard Maxwell, prior to marrying Marianne Riley (Taylor), former Miss Pennsylvania, and having daughters Marcie Lynn Galski of New Jersey and Carda Brooks Taylor of Montana.
Richard was an avid reader. He frequented the local libraries weekly. While visiting and later moving to Montana, his favorite author became James Lee Burke. He shared the book, Bitterroot, with his daughter, Carda, and Burke is now her favorite author as well. The two have read all of Burke’s books which they collected at various bookstores over the years.
Richard was a huge baseball fan. His favorite MLB Team was the Boston Red Sox. He also cheered for the Philadelphia Phillies. His daughter has many fond memories of watching World Series Playoff games and learning the real game of baseball from her father. Grandson, Dale, began playing baseball this past year and Richard loved to tell him various strategies and pointers of the game.
Richard actively participated in the Devon Horse Show by serving on their committee for more than ten years. He made many friends during this time and stayed in contact with them through the years.
Favorite memories shared by family and friends recently have included boy scout camps (three years) at Goose Pond in New York, frequent picnics, and hikes at Valley Forge National Park where he and his daughter and her friend Sherry would often visit. Sherry stated in a recent sympathy card, “I moved to Pennsylvania because of the trips to Valley Forge with your dad”.
Richard loved Montana. After daughter, Carda, moved to Montana in 2007, he frequently made cross-country trips from the east coast for long visits. Together, the two would often trout fish and drive through the state enjoying the beautiful state and shopping at antique stores. A favorite trip the two enjoyed in Montana was a road trip on Beartooth Pass Highway and ending in Glacier National Park. Richard also loved grilling and purchasing meat at local butchers and grilling it, often proclaiming “Montana has the best meat”.
On occasion, in a Stevensville, Montana, café, he would play a tune or two on an old piano in the back of the café, much to everyone’s enjoyment.
Richard moved to Montana permanently in 2020. He passed away on September 15, 2022.
Richard’s funeral service will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison on November 10, 2022, at noon.
Service Schedule
Military Honors
12:00 p.m.
Thursday November 10, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Military Honors
12:00 p.m.
Thursday November 10, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Dan Kluth says
Mr. Taylor was a great guy. I had gotten to know him after he had moved out to Montana. I will miss our talks. I will miss him. My condolences to his family.
Duane Cunningham says
I was fortunate enough to meet Richard Taylor when he arrived in Montana enrolling into the VA Healthcare system. At first sight, Richard struck me as both gentlemen and statesman. I was correct on both accounts. I got to spend some time getting to know Richard through the American Legion and he was certainly someone I would call a friend. I will miss our Army versus Navy banter back and forth as well as his affinity for old movies and the way things used to be. Richard will be missed but he leaves behind good friendships and lifetime memories. Fair winds and Following Seas my friend.