Obituary of Bayard R. Hand

Bayard R. Hand, better known as "Dick", a resident of Darien for over 60 years, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2010 in Darien. Born on April 15, 1917 in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Bayard and Margaret Hand. He was 93. Dick graduated from the Lawrenceville School; Williams College, class of 1939 and attended the Wharton Business School. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain during World War II in the Pacific region. He was the Marketing Manager for Roper Organization from the late 1940s to early 1950s; Director, Products and Marketing Planning for Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp from the mid 1950s to late 1950s; started Reddy Fox catering in the late 1950s; Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp from the early 1960s thru mid 1960s; and VP Finance, Research Corporation from the mid 1960s thru 1981. He retired from Research Corporation in 1982. Dick was active with the Darien Democratic Town Committee, Board of Education, Board of Selectman and Board of Finance. He was Director and then President of Meals-on-Wheels from 1982 to 2003 as well as an active member. He was Treasurer of Person-to-Person from 1984 thru 2005 and received special recognition in 2005 for 25 years of service. He was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Darien Chamber of Commerce in 1993. He was Treasurer of the Darien Senior Center; President/VP Treasurer of the Darien United Way; ABC board member and driver; Tutor, "I Had a Dream" program; and a member of the Noroton Yacht Club since the early 1950s. Dick Hand was known for his generosity and care for those in need, especially young people and also for his love of his wife and tennis, in that order. His family is very grateful to Dick's four wonderful caregivers Shirley Forrest, Sharon Miller, Luke Pierre and Shannelle Lee who made Dick comfortable and cared for him tenderly. The family also is grateful to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care and R.N. Joe LeTendre for their comfort and support over the last few months. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth F. Hand, better known as "B.A." of Darien; three children, Margot Hand of Darien; Taber Hand of Cambodia and Julie Hand of East Calais, VT. He is also survived by nine stepchildren, Debbi Caplan of Chapel Hill, NC; Sarah Hartigan and Albert Hartigan both of Darien; Charles Hartigan of Norwalk; Julia Ryan, George Reilly, Roger Hardon and Emily Hardon all of New York, NY; and Alan Hardon of Gilbert, AZ. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lydia Hand, Tulane University in New Orleans, LA; Niles Rowland of New York, NY; Peter and Annabel Hartigan of Darien and Calder and Eleanor Ryan of New York, NY. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien on Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:00 AM. The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, Darien is handling the arrangements. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to Person-to-Person, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 or ABC, 11 Brookside Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820