Richard R. Peffenbach of Acton, Mass., peacefully left the world he loved on March 18, 2024, with his son, Rick, by his side. He suffered from Alzheimer’s. He had a beautiful and honorable celebration of life and was buried at The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY May 14, 2024.
Known to most as Dick, he lived a happy, active life in many wonderful places across the U.S. He will be remembered for his keen intellect, caring soul, quick wit, being an awesome Dad, a great friend and in his younger days; an impressively spry jumpshot on the basketball court.
He was born June 15, 1936 in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Elizabeth McFadden Peffenbach and Louis Peffenbach. He had a sister, Betsy and brother Louis.
After Dick’s mother died when he was a young teenager, he went to live with his aunt and uncle, Mary and Bud Noyes. He became part of the Noyes family like a brother to his cousins, Brad and Sam Noyes, and a son to “Uncle Bud,” who helped shape his life.
Bud cultivated Dick’s promise, his smarts and basketball skills ultimately leading him to attend college at West Point. Dick graduated in 1959 from the U.S. Military Academy with a degree in Engineering.
When not on the court or in the library at West Point, Dick could be found reading the latest information on the stock market, a habit that eventually led to his career in finance. Also during his college years he developed a deep love of his country and lived West Point’s motto “Duty, Honor, Country” until his final days.
After graduation he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army. He then worked as an engineer at Boeing in Seattle before launching a career in financial services that took him to Dean Witter in San Francisco; Sears in Chicago; Middendorf, Colgate and Loomis Sayles in New York; and Rollert & Sullivan and Keystone Investment Management in Boston.
He was a loving, doting father to his two children, always spending time with them and staying in touch. He was famous for his unfailing and punctual 7 o’clock check-in calls, even as his kids grew into adults.
After retirement, and before his illness, he enjoyed the library and walking. It wasn’t uncommon for him to read 4 newspapers and a full book in one visit to the library, and walk two miles every day, prompting his neighbors to give him the nickname “Walking Man,” after the James Taylor song.
His memory will be loved and cherished by his son, Rick Peffenbach, of Acton, MA, his sister Betsy Laumaillet of Los Angeles, Calif., sisters-in law Patricia Peffenbach, of Erie, Penn., and Edwina Noyes, of Vero Beach, FL. Several nieces; Betsey Mendelsohn of Cincinnati, OH, husband Ray, daughter Megan and son Brian. Patty Welther of Erie. PA, her husband Jack , daughter Katie and son Aaron. Cathy Rodstein of Miami, FL, her daughters Sheridan and Caitlyn. Elizabeth Noyes-Peterson, of Mathas, WV, husband Eric, daughter Reyne and son Ian. Dick also leaves a nephew, Brad Noyes, of Miami, FL his wife, Alexandra and daughter Katrina and son Christian. He was predeceased by his daughter Ann Peffenbach of Wilton, CT, his former wife, Martha Carr Winters also of Wilton, CT and and his brothers Louis Peffenbach, of Erie, PA, Brad Noyes of Columbus, OH and Sam Noyes of Vero Beach, FL and brother-in-law Maurice Laumaillet of Los Angeles, CA.
Memorial Donations may be made to The Dana - Farber Cancer Institute in his memory to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box849168,Boston,MA 02284. or via jimmyfund.org/gift. Donate Here