Richard Dale Wilson, 74, passed away at his home in Hobe Sound, Florida on April 1, 2024.  Born to Harold and Lena Wilson on January 20, 1950, Dick grew up in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and attended East Longmeadow High School.  He earned an associate's degree in animal science at Stockbridge School of Agriculture, a bachelor's degree in animal science at University of Massachusetts, and a master's degree in Biology at State University of New York at Cortland. He served in the U.S Navy in Guam from 1970-1972, and was offered an early surviving member discharge because his brother, Calvin, was killed in Vietnam.  He took the discharge so he could complete his education.

Dick was diagnosed with a rare, slowly progressive form of ALS in 1976, at the age of twenty-six. Despite his diagnosis, Dick spent twenty-one years teaching high school math and science at Windsor High School in Windsor, Connecticut; St. Petersburg Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida; Fort Myers Christian School in Fort Myers, Florida; and Kingsway Academy in Nassau, Bahamas.  He met his wife, Kathy, in 1980 when they were both teaching at St. Petersburg Christian School, and they were married in 1982. They were blessed with their son, Matthew, in 1993.  In addition to teaching, Dick also coached softball.  After he retired from teaching in 1995, he ran sports camps with his wife, Kathy, for many years. He also tutored home schooled students in math.  From 2013 to present, Dick served as an Elder at Coastal Life Church in Palm City, Florida, where his family attends.

He was always looking for the next adventure and did not allow his disability to deter him from doing the things he loved, namely teaching, coaching, traveling the U.S. and the world, and touching people's lives. His life's passion was serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and he made a lasting impact on all who knew him.  At the time of his passing, he was the longest survivor of ALS in the world, at forty-eight years.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Matthew; brother, Jonathan and his wife Leslie; grandchildren, Brinley, Brody, and Bray; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lena, and brother, Calvin.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, May 11th at 10:30 am at Coastal Life Church, 560 SW 34th Street, Palm City, Florida 34990.

For those who have been asking, memorial contributions can be made to Coastal Life Church.  Please write in the memo of your check "In memory of Dick Wilson."

Online contributions can be made by clicking the link below: https://coastallife.churchcenter.com/giving/to/in-memory-of-dick-wilson

Or by going to the church website: coastallife.church and clicking on "Give." In the drop down click "In Memory of Dick Wilson."

Please feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.