Richard Sturgeon, 80 of Hebron, CT, passed away on March 11, 2025, after a long and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Dick was born in Manchester, Connecticut to Ralph and Ruth (nee Person) Sturgeon. After living in various places in the Manchester area and Florida, the family moved to New Jersey where he met the love of his life, his “child bride” Jean. After graduating from Monmouth College with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dick and Jean moved to Connecticut in 1968 where Dick started his 42 year career as a teacher in the Glastonbury school system. He obtained a Masters and a Sixth Year degree in education from UCONN. During his long tenure, he taught at Naubuc, Academy, Gideon Welles, Smith Middle School and Glastonbury High. He truly loved being a teacher, and over the years when he saw former students they would tell him how much they enjoyed his classes and how fondly they remembered him, which always left him with the knowledge that he had made the very best career choice. In 2000 Dick was instrumental in bringing NASA moon rocks to Glastonbury where they were exhibited at Welles Turner Library. During his tenure at the high school, he was advisor to the Drama Club, co-advisor advisor to the yearbook and a chaperone for many student trips to France. A man of eclectic musical tastes, he assisted Glastonbury Youth and Family Services in their summer musical productions and was an extra in the operas Aida and Salome performed at the Hartford Civic Center. An avid reader and lifelong learner, you could always find him with a book on nature, science or history. He loved puttering in the yard, crossword puzzles, fishing, cigars and bourbon. Dick and Jean loved to travel and visited Costa Rica, Punta Cana and many countries in Europe. In retirement they found their happy place as snowbirds in Tulum, Mexico. Dick leaves to mourn his beloved wife Jean, adored daughter Marnie Kut and granddaughter Payton Kut. He also leaves his sisters Donna Tyler of New Jersey and Linda (Louis) Gervais of Florida, his brother-in-law and sister in law Gary and Patty Bello of New Jersey, all their children and many cousins. The family would also like to thank Maddie and Diane at the Harry Gray Cancer Center, Nurse Carol from Hartford Hospital’s Conklin Building and Holly from Hartford Healthcare Hospice for their care, kindness and support during his illness. Funeral services and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury. Dick had a special fondness for the Welles Turner Library. A fund has been established in Dick’s name for the purchase of books relating to the land and coastal waters of the United States and Canada, the Arctic Ocean and Greenland, subjects near and dear to his heart. In lieu of flowers the family asks that anyone wishing to make a contribution to the fund indicate that it is in memory of Richard Sturgeon. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.
