Richard Bright Dinwiddie, 86, a resident of Cliff, New Mexico entered eternal rest Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Gila Regional Medical Center. He was born on October 7, 1935, in Buckhorn, New Mexico and spent his childhood in Cliff. Working at the family store and doing chores, Richard had many stories detailing how long the walks were in the days before cars. He enjoyed basketball during his school years and passed his enthusiasm along to his children. He even built them a concrete basketball court in their first family home!
Upon graduation from high school, Richard attended NMSU and married his childhood sweetheart, Gwendolyn Gordon. Upon graduating from NMSU with a mechanical engineering degree, the newlyweds headed to Denver where Richard was stationed for the Air Force. Dana, his first child, was born in Denver followed by Rick, his second, in Georgia. As a navigator, Richard flew long hours on reconnaissance flights in B-52 Bombers. He was discharged as a captain.
Hired by Kennecott, he became Plant Foreman and welcomed a third child, Trina. A move to Silver City started years of school activities and Richard’s favorite pastime: camping in the Gila and Mogollon mountains. In 1976, a move to Cliff helped Richard achieve one of his dreams of building his own home out of adobe and vigas. He had an unusual problem-solving capability to tackle all sorts of mental and physical projects from felling giant timbers to running a bus company serving the school and firefighting communities. After receiving a Master in Arts from Western University and tiring of the retired life, he became City Engineer for the Town of Silver City. Upon retirement, Richard spent time at Chuck’s Folly and the Senior Center visiting with the locals. He would be the first to admit how much he enjoyed socializing and at the same time, spending time communing with his beloved cows. Often seen driving through Cliff and the Gila Valley, his white Ford 150 will be missed.
He is survived by his son, Richard Gordon Dinwiddie of Cliff; his daughter, Dana Myers (William Myers) of Naples, FL; Trina Hartshorne (Mark) of Cloudcroft, NM; four granddaughters, BreeAnna Dinwiddie, Randi Gorski (Nick), McKenzie Wichman (Josh) of Chicago, and Taylor Hartshorne; four great grandchildren; his sister, Terry Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Oscar and Margery Bright Dinwiddie; one brother, Harold “Chuck” Dinwiddie.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 11th at 10am at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Joseph Gros officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Gila-Mesa cemetery. Pallbearers are Rick Dinwiddie, Bill Myers, Hollis Dinwiddie, Jupe Hale, Billy Gordon, and Justin Enriquez.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.
Upon graduation from high school, Richard attended NMSU and married his childhood sweetheart, Gwendolyn Gordon. Upon graduating from NMSU with a mechanical engineering degree, the newlyweds headed to Denver where Richard was stationed for the Air Force. Dana, his first child, was born in Denver followed by Rick, his second, in Georgia. As a navigator, Richard flew long hours on reconnaissance flights in B-52 Bombers. He was discharged as a captain.
Hired by Kennecott, he became Plant Foreman and welcomed a third child, Trina. A move to Silver City started years of school activities and Richard’s favorite pastime: camping in the Gila and Mogollon mountains. In 1976, a move to Cliff helped Richard achieve one of his dreams of building his own home out of adobe and vigas. He had an unusual problem-solving capability to tackle all sorts of mental and physical projects from felling giant timbers to running a bus company serving the school and firefighting communities. After receiving a Master in Arts from Western University and tiring of the retired life, he became City Engineer for the Town of Silver City. Upon retirement, Richard spent time at Chuck’s Folly and the Senior Center visiting with the locals. He would be the first to admit how much he enjoyed socializing and at the same time, spending time communing with his beloved cows. Often seen driving through Cliff and the Gila Valley, his white Ford 150 will be missed.
He is survived by his son, Richard Gordon Dinwiddie of Cliff; his daughter, Dana Myers (William Myers) of Naples, FL; Trina Hartshorne (Mark) of Cloudcroft, NM; four granddaughters, BreeAnna Dinwiddie, Randi Gorski (Nick), McKenzie Wichman (Josh) of Chicago, and Taylor Hartshorne; four great grandchildren; his sister, Terry Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Oscar and Margery Bright Dinwiddie; one brother, Harold “Chuck” Dinwiddie.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 11th at 10am at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Joseph Gros officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Gila-Mesa cemetery. Pallbearers are Rick Dinwiddie, Bill Myers, Hollis Dinwiddie, Jupe Hale, Billy Gordon, and Justin Enriquez.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.
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