Richard Bennington Washer, age 95, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Born May 21, 1930, in Boston, MA, he was the son of Thomas J. Washer and Agnes B. Washer.
Richard grew up in Arlington, MA and Rockville Centre, NY where he graduated from South Side High School. He was an athlete on the championship soccer team, a celebrated scholar, and a talented trumpeter in the school band.
He graduated cum laude in 1952 from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering.
After graduation, he began his 25-year career with General Electric. In 1955, he was called to serve in the US Army with the Transportation Research & Engineering Command in Fort Eustis, VA. Much of his service involved testing military equipment in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during two severe winters. After an honorable discharge in 1957, he resumed his career with General Electric, where he held numerous management positions in seven US states, as well as France and Brazil.
In 1978, Richard joined Drexel Heritage Furnishings in Morganton, NC as Manager of Facilities Engineering. He remained there until his retirement in 1993.
Richard had a strong body and an active mind. He enjoyed skiing, sailing, hiking and photography. He was an award-winning member of the Catawba Valley Camera Club and past president of the Hickory Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed the Tuesday night men’s discussion group at the First Presbyterian Church of Hickory and served for several years on the property committee there. He and Adrienne were also members of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock where they loved to go for summer services.
Richard was a devoted husband and father. He married his wife, Adrienne Smith, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada in December 1958. During their 67 years together, they built a life filled with family, travel, and shared passions. Together they raised three children: Douglas (Pam) Washer of Blowing Rock, NC; Bruce Washer, whose late wife Cathie passed in 2010, of Hickory NC; and Carolyn (Bob) Sinclair of Hickory, NC. He was the proud grandad to Ian Washer, Carter Sinclair, and Sloane Sinclair.
Richard and Adrienne’s love of world travel took them to 58 countries, across six continents and the Arctic. Richard was a gifted photographer, sailor, and snow skier, and he cherished time at the family’s Blowing Rock home. He was a volunteer ski patroller at Seven Devils ski resort for the first seasons, in mid 1960’s.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Kingston Residence of Hickory, Carolina Caring and Geraldines Care for their loving support of Richard and the family.
Memorial gifts may be given to The Good Samaritan Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Hickory, Catawba County Habitat, Carolina Caring, and Hickory Soup Kitchen.
Service will be held Monday, October 6th at 11:00AM at First Presbyterian Church of Hickory.
