Obituary for Richard Everson Wolcott
Richard Everson Wolcott, 66, of Anderson, SC, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020 after a brave battle with glioblastoma.
Born on December 27, 1953 in Santiago, Chile, he was the son of the late George Everson and Marina Alicia Aravena Massenlli Wolcott. After moving to St. Petersburg, FL in 1967, he attended Boca Ciega High School and graduated in 1971. Richard earned an Associate degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1973 before joining the U.S. Army.
From 1973 to 1976, Richard served in the U.S. Army in the 1st Ranger Battalion (75th Infantry). He was Honorably Discharged, earning a Ranger Tab, U.S. and German Airborne Wings, and the Army Commendation Medal. From 1978 to 1980, Richard served as a communication supervisor for the U.S. Sinai Field Mission, a U.S. State Department peacekeeping operation in Egypt.
Richard earned his Bachelor in Computer Science from the University of South Carolina in 1982, and worked for J.E. Sirrine Company designing project management software. Richard worked as a systems analyst at Greenville Health System (GHS) for a year before enrolling at Clemson University, and earned his Master of Professional Accountancy in 1986. He joined Ernst & Young where he designed and implemented manufacturing information systems before returning to the Decision Support group at GHS in 1989. Richard obtained his Certified Public Accountant license in 1994, worked in various accounting roles with Duke University and Anderson Area Medical Center, and returned for a third tour with GHS until 2012.
From a very young age, Richard dreamed of being a Radio Officer in the Merchant Marine. It was only after a lifetime of other careers that he finally pursued his dream and joined the American Radio Association (ARA) in 2005. His first ship was in support of a military mission, and he returned having earned a Merchant Mariner service medal. He served as Vice President of the ARA, as well as a Union Trustee on the ARA Pension and Welfare Plans board, overseeing the health and continuity of benefits for all ARA members.
Richard enjoyed metalworking and fabrication, signaling devices, playing ukuleles, amateur radio, and a good cigar. He loved to sail, serving as Commodore of the Western Carolina Sailing Club in 2010 and a member of the International Order of the Blue Gavel. Richard also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 1998.
Surviving are a daughter, Claire Marie Stam (Kyle) of Greenville, SC; a son, Alex Everson Wolcott of Arlington, VA; a twin brother, Robert Everson Wolcott (Linda) of Grass Valley, CA; a sister, Mary Ann Wolcott-Borja of Miami, FL; a granddaughter, Mia Jane Stam; and a grandson, Brody Joseph Stam.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the crew of the MV Manoa, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Matson Navigation, Medical Solution Services, Prisma Health Cancer Institute, Nicki Rush, Duke Cancer Institute, Visiting Angels, Hospice of the Upstate, and the McCall Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate or the McCall Hospice House.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for family and friends at Broadway Lake later in 2021.
Born on December 27, 1953 in Santiago, Chile, he was the son of the late George Everson and Marina Alicia Aravena Massenlli Wolcott. After moving to St. Petersburg, FL in 1967, he attended Boca Ciega High School and graduated in 1971. Richard earned an Associate degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1973 before joining the U.S. Army.
From 1973 to 1976, Richard served in the U.S. Army in the 1st Ranger Battalion (75th Infantry). He was Honorably Discharged, earning a Ranger Tab, U.S. and German Airborne Wings, and the Army Commendation Medal. From 1978 to 1980, Richard served as a communication supervisor for the U.S. Sinai Field Mission, a U.S. State Department peacekeeping operation in Egypt.
Richard earned his Bachelor in Computer Science from the University of South Carolina in 1982, and worked for J.E. Sirrine Company designing project management software. Richard worked as a systems analyst at Greenville Health System (GHS) for a year before enrolling at Clemson University, and earned his Master of Professional Accountancy in 1986. He joined Ernst & Young where he designed and implemented manufacturing information systems before returning to the Decision Support group at GHS in 1989. Richard obtained his Certified Public Accountant license in 1994, worked in various accounting roles with Duke University and Anderson Area Medical Center, and returned for a third tour with GHS until 2012.
From a very young age, Richard dreamed of being a Radio Officer in the Merchant Marine. It was only after a lifetime of other careers that he finally pursued his dream and joined the American Radio Association (ARA) in 2005. His first ship was in support of a military mission, and he returned having earned a Merchant Mariner service medal. He served as Vice President of the ARA, as well as a Union Trustee on the ARA Pension and Welfare Plans board, overseeing the health and continuity of benefits for all ARA members.
Richard enjoyed metalworking and fabrication, signaling devices, playing ukuleles, amateur radio, and a good cigar. He loved to sail, serving as Commodore of the Western Carolina Sailing Club in 2010 and a member of the International Order of the Blue Gavel. Richard also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 1998.
Surviving are a daughter, Claire Marie Stam (Kyle) of Greenville, SC; a son, Alex Everson Wolcott of Arlington, VA; a twin brother, Robert Everson Wolcott (Linda) of Grass Valley, CA; a sister, Mary Ann Wolcott-Borja of Miami, FL; a granddaughter, Mia Jane Stam; and a grandson, Brody Joseph Stam.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the crew of the MV Manoa, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Matson Navigation, Medical Solution Services, Prisma Health Cancer Institute, Nicki Rush, Duke Cancer Institute, Visiting Angels, Hospice of the Upstate, and the McCall Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate or the McCall Hospice House.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for family and friends at Broadway Lake later in 2021.