Vietnam War Veteran and Retired RI State Police Lt. Richard Harry Hurst Dies at 77
Monday, August 21, 2023
Richard Harry Hurst, a retired lieutenant with the Rhode Island State Police, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the age of 77. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his beloved dog, Lilliana.
Richard was the devoted husband of Lana J. (Iacobucci) Hurst for 48 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Harry and Iceabell (Etchells) Hurst and caring brother of Harriett R. Hurst.
Richard attended Hope High School, where he first met Lana, and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the Roger Williams College. Richard proudly and passionately served the State of Rhode Island for 25 years with the State Police, retiring as a lieutenant. He considered working in public service a profound privilege. He cared deeply for the people he served, and the people he served alongside. The friends and mentors he made while on the job were deep and life-long.
Richard was the loving father of Kimberly J. (Hurst) Marchand (husband, Richard), Sgt. David R. Hurst, Middletown Police Department (wife, Nicole), and Jessica L. Hurst, Esquire; cherished grandfather of Lucas Primo Hurst and Matteo Anthony Hurst; brother-in-law of Carol A. Lepore and her late husband John A. Lepore; and brother-in-law of Marcia G. Beagan and her late husband Andrew F. Beagan. Richard is also survived by nieces Robin M. Lepore and Aileen E. (Sullivan) Zogby, and nephew Gregory P. A. Lepore.
Richard’s sense of humor and gift of levity was legendary. His innate understanding of comedic language, timing, delivery, and surprise was often dazzling, creating indelible memories and countless stories for those lucky to know him. He understood how to use humor not only for pure fun, but as a healing art. He also simply loved to be outrageously silly and make people laugh, often until they cried.
The soundtrack to Richard’s life was sung by the late Elvis Presley. Richard wore the famous jumpsuit on more than one occasion, and wore it well. He loved Elvis’ Gospel album, especially the classic hymn How Great Thou Art. Richard was quietly spiritual, and often contemplated heaven, where he now resides with Jesus, his parents, and many dear friends, who are no doubt crying with laughter.
For nearly 50 years, Richard attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wickford, RI, the historic village where he was grateful to live and raise his family. He loved to spend an afternoon visiting the local shop-keepers and talking with friends over coffee, while watching the boats go by. He was very creative, sometimes artistic, and for decades he collected local artwork that included many paintings and prints of Wickford and his church.
Over the years, Richard enjoyed frequent trips with his family and best friends to have cool drinks in warm places with palm trees; places like Hollywood Beach and Englewood, Florida. At home, he liked displaying his collections of art, baseball memorabilia, and photos of his family and friends. He was always ready with his camera, and would create collages and albums of his adventures and his people.
The closets of Richard’s home – nestled near Annaquatucket Mill Pond, so almost like waterfront property – were filled with costumes, hats, masks, wigs, pranks, props, and joke books. As much as he loved new, shiny things, Richard also appreciated legacy pieces, and enjoyed pouring over old photos and letters, antiques, and classic cars. He said more than once, he’d like to open his own museum, or a “Talk-Shop,” where people just come in and talk to him, though not necessarily pay him. It was hard to develop the right business model for that one.
Richard owned many hats, and wore many hats. In addition to being a checkers, rock-painting and joke-making pal to his grandsons Lucas and Matteo, he was a lifelong Red Sox fan, car enthusiast, history buff, movie and television critic, sand-castle architect, ice cream/oatmeal cookie/cinnamon bun-connoisseur, a sharp dresser, and on a good night, an astonishing dancer. His signature move was “The Turtle,” which is exactly what it sounds like.
Richard was unmatched as an avid and thoughtful gift-giver, and loved finding thoughtful treasures in local shops to delight his favorite people – especially at Christmas-time, but often for no reason at all. He was also the guy that bought big, noisy toys for his grandsons and other kids, to the delight of children and the dismay of their parents. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and friends, to whom he was profoundly loyal, and who will always love and miss him very dearly.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Eucharist on Wednesday, August 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 55 Main Street, Wickford. Lunch and fellowship will immediately follow at the church parish house across the street. Burial will later be privately held for family and close friends, at the RI Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; or the Gary Sinise Foundation: Honoring Our Defenders, Veterans, and First Responders.
