Dr. Richard J. Ward, Ph. D., former Dean of the Business School at the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, died on October 9, 2010 at home.
An economist, professor, academic administrator, and perpetually aspiring writer, Dr. Ward was author of several books in Economics and published reviews in numerous professional journals.
Since retiring as Dean in 1996, he wrote three memoirs Grandpas are for all Seasons, The Fragrance of Heliotrope — for his late wife, Cecilia Butler Ward — and My Last Dungarees, an autobiographical retrospective.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Citation for his work in Jordan for U.S. Agency for International Development. Other awards he received include the University Service Award from UMD, Massachusetts Governor’s Citation, Service Citation by Shuman European Institute for Cultural Integration and Chancellor Professor Emeritus status at UMD.
His papers on the Middle East are in the archives of The Middle East Center, St. Anthony’s College, Oxford University, England.
An archive of his sketches, titled “Doodles,” has been featured at Gallery X, an art gallery in New Bedford, MA.
Dr. Ward received his bachelors’ degree in 1945 from Harvard College and later received an M.A. and Ph D. in economics from University of Michigan in 1958.
His career as a professor included time at Seattle University, Bates College, Fordham University, Long Island University, the University of Maryland, and at Southeastern Massachusetts University – now UMD. In 1988, he spent a sabbatical year as Director at the United States International University’s School of Business in London.
A veteran of World War II, he served as Division Leader and Executive Officer on the U.S.S. Gage, retiring as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant. He and his shipmates were in the Pacific during the massive invasion of Okinawa.
Later in life, he participated in the mentoring program at The Nativity Prep-School in New Bedford, was a President of the UMD Retirement Association, and served on the Advisory Board of Gallery X. He was also an Advisor to the SHARE Foundation program and frequent lecturer at the Dartmouth Council on Aging programs.
Dr. Ward was born in Beverly, Mass on November 7, 1921 with twin sister Elizabeth to Margaret Lyons Ward and Ralph Ward, Sr. He was predeceased by his six siblings – Elizabeth, Lucy, Eleanor, Ralph, John and George. His wife, Cecilia, passed away in 2006.
Richard is survived by his eldest son, Timothy J. and his wife, Virginia, of Bridgewater, Mass, his son, Richard Jr., of Vienna, Va, his daughter Mary Bencks and her husband, Douglas, of Durham, N.H., and his son, Christopher Ward and his wife Patricia, both of Milford, Mass. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth Street, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following organizations would be gratefully accepted: The U. Mass. Dartmouth Library Associates or the Cecilia Butler Ward Scholarship Fund, c/o U. Mass.Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747, the Dartmouth Council on Aging, 628 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748, or the Nativity Preparatory School, 66 Spring St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions or to sign the on-line guest book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.