Richard Nead Obituary, Death – At the age of 86, Richard Finch Nead resigned from life on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Richard was affectionately and jokingly referred to as Chunky by his family and friends. Chunky was raised on a farm in Castleton after being born there on January 17, 1937. He became an athlete in 1953, playing center and linebacker for the Columbia Blue Devils thanks to his dedication to the farm.
He served as the team’s captain and guided them to a perfect season. He would eventually be inducted into Columbia’s Hall of Fame because to this season. Chunky went on to attend Manlius Prep School, a renowned and well-respected military prep school at the time, where he played center and linebacker while receiving a full two-year sports scholarship.
His football career did not finish there, though, as he was eventually signed as a free agent by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Division 1 football team. Chunky was able to continue playing center and linebacker because to this full four-year scholarship, at which time he also graduated with a bachelor’s in political science. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from college and enrolling in officer candidate school. He received his wings at the Navy Flight Training School in Pensacola, Florida, shortly after that. Chunky taught Marines how to fly after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty.
After serving his seven-year enlistment term, Capt. Richard F. Nead was honorably released. He worked as a private contractor at the U.S.A.F. Aero Club’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. as a flight teacher with an FAA certificate. He provided training for aspiring pilots in subjects like meteorology, navigation, flight regulations, pre-flight information, and flight computer use. Richard flew for Eastern Airlines for twenty-four years, including 12 years as a captain, after finishing his training on the DC-9. Chunky was pleased with the fact that during the course of his twenty-four-year career, he had never missed a day of work or a flight.
Chunky pursued his interests in skiing and grape and berry growing at his Nead Berry Vineyard after retirement from aviation. Up to the age of 80, he continued to sell his berries and grapes to nearby food booths and wineries.
Prescott and Katherine Nead, as well as their children Prescott Nead, Sally Potter, and Jerry Nead, preceded Chunky. Chunky was determined to remain single, but his cousins Anne Finch and Abigail Finch, nephews and nieces Robbie and Ruthie Potter, Cynthia Nevins, Laighne Fanney, Scott Nead, Stephanie Nead, and Kip Nead, grandnephews and nieces Robbie Potter Jr., Patrick Potter, Varick and Stephanie Nevins, Allison Nead Hayes, Sarah Holland Nead, and Alden Nead.