Richard G. Underwood

Funeral information

Home: Syracuse, New York and Chickasha, Oklahoma Place of Birth: Ruston, Louisiana
Date of Death: September 24, 2008 Birthdate: August 31, 1919
Age: 89

Service information: Sunday, September 28, 2008 4:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc., Syracuse, New York

Visitation: No calling hours

Biography

Richard G. Underwood, 89, lately of Chickasha, Oklahoma, more recently of Syracuse, New York, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Surviving family members are his wife of 62 years, Virginia Lee Hunt Underwood; two daughters, Pym Mumford (Jack) and Marian Buda (Lou) of Syracuse, New York; a son, William G. LÃnge Underwood (Karin) of Kent, Ohio; ten grandchildren and one great grandson, as well as a sister, Mary Sue McDaniels, of Oklahoma City and a brother, Bill Underwood (Joyce) of Colorado Springs.

Dick Underwood grew up in Muskogee and Chickasha, Oklahoma, and attended the University of Oklahoma at Norman. In keeping with his pacifist convictions, he served his country as a conscientious objector in the Civilian Public Service during World War II. After the war, he helped to replenish herds in Europe with Heifer Project International. His long and interesting life included early membership in CORE, a year in England during the McCarthy era, when his refusal to sign a loyalty oath barred him from working in the U.S., and positions in publishing as book designer at the University of Oklahoma Press, assistant director of the University of Texas Press at Austin, and director of Syracuse University Press. In 1960 he authored a book on university press publishing, and in 1965-66, a Guggenheim Fellowship allowed him to study scholarly publishing in Europe. In retirement, he lived in County Cork, Ireland, for five years. He and his wife shared a profound love of learning and reading and delighted in music of all kinds, especially bluegrass and classical, singing, and playing recorder in a quartet. He had many dear friends in both the U.S. and Europe, whom he entertained with his colorful stories and sharp wit. He was an excellent calligrapher, amateur cartoonist, and writer of verse. For many years he and his family enjoyed hiking, camping, and bird-watching throughout the United States. An idealist at heart, Dick exemplified intellectual rigor, mistrust of dogma, and unadorned honesty. He cared above all for his family, books, and reading.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Southwest Indian Foundation, P.O. Box 86, Gallup NM, 87302 (www.southwestindian.com) or to the St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD (www.stjo.org).

A celebration of his life will be held at the Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 South Salina Street, Syracuse, New York on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 4:00 p.m., with a reception following at the Mumford home, 211 Oakley Drive, Syracuse, New York.

Catharine Cook September 26, 2008
Mr. Underwood was always a friend to the Chickasha Public Library. I remember when he and Mrs. Underwood made a donation to the Library to purchase many of Patrick O'Brien's titles for the fiction collection. And long before that, he helped me locate a book that was long out-of-print as a gift for my mother. It was a pleasure and an honor to have been acquainted with him. Catharine Cook, Director Chickasha Public Library

Sally Spradlin Wheeler September 26, 2008
I grew up down the street from the Underwoods. It was always fun to go down to their house and Mr. Underwood would tell great stories to me. I'd set in the rocking chair by the door and look at all the tapes, records and books in the living room. He'd walk me to the gate and watch me walk either across the street or back home. Mr. Underwood is a part of my childhood and I will always love him.

Charles Norton September 27, 2008
As a teenager when I spent time at the Underwood house, Mr. Underwood’s voice would boom through the house, mostly exhorting Will (and his various friends) to turn the loud music down. “Will Old Boy” was a frequent overture to a requirement for Will to rectify one transgression or another. I can remember that Mr. Underwood was genuinely interested in what we youngsters were up to, despite his frequent inability to understand us. Now I share his frustrations with my attempts to understand my own kids. My consumption of lettuce and mayonnaise sandwiches as a staple food confounded him in our college years. His inability to understand us never lessened his compassion, though. Godspeed Mr. Underwood.

Carolyn Keim Spradlin & Jay Spradlin September 28, 2008
In the 1950's I was born to parents living on the west end of Dakota Avenue and I grew up amidst the love and guidance of Lois Underwood---I have recollections of Richard & Virginia when they came home on visits. When Jay and I were married, we moved back into my childhood home and who was in the Underwood home? Richard & Virginia. Our 2 children, Sally-Belle and Paul-Jayson grew up visiting the Underwoods. About 15 years ago we moved to another home in Chickasha but we continued to visit with Richard and Virginia. They were always so appreciative of any home baked or homemade gift we would take them and they were always so interested in the children--what they were doing and how they were doing. Dick always visited with Jay when he would go to buy groceries at Dunn's Food Center. We miss them and will always fondly remember the Underwood family for they are woven into the fabric of who we are. We send our love and sympathies to the family. Dick will be missed.