Richard Wardell

Richard Wardell

SALISBURY — Richard Wardell passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 21, 2023. 

Richard was born on Sept. 18, 1933, in Hamden Connecticut to Loretta and Arthur Wardell, and he grew up in the New Haven area. 

He was a member of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and in 1959 he graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He was a graduate student at Columbia University’s Mortgage Banking School in New York. 

He worked at National Iron Bank for 60 years, including many years as CEO and Chairman. From 1988–1991, he served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.  

Richard was an outdoorsman. He loved fishing for trout and salmon with his wife Sara, and they both adored the many Labrador Retrievers who were part of their family for many years. He was also an accomplished painter and art collector. 

He is survived by his wife Sara Belcher Wardell; his first wife, Jeanne Wardell; his daughter Lisa Wardell and her husband John Heissenbuttel; his sons Dan and Rick Wardell; his grandchildren Anna and Ian Heissenbuttel and Mackenzie and Tavish Wardell; and his dogs Jake and Lulu. 

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County or The Little Guild. 

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