Richard DeWitt

Richard was born in Edmonton on July 10, 1944, and passed October 16, 2024 in Calgary.

Richard joined the DeWitt family when his father, Ernest DeWitt and mother, Faye DeWitt adopted him at age 5. They lived west of Airdrie on the farm.  At the time, EB was farming in the area with his older sons, George and Robert.  Richard rode the bus to school in Airdrie with several of his cousins. 

He adored his father, who sometimes took him out of school to go hunting, fishing and camping.  His brothers said their father didn’t allow that when they were in school. 

When they brought home the deer, moose, or antelope that they had shot, his mom would can the meat for winter enjoyment.

While in high school, Richard tried his hand at rodeo, riding bare back but that didn’t have a positive outcome. One time the horse reared in the chute and he ended up on the ground, with a broken back. When he tried to get up, he used some pretty colorful language before realizing his mother was within hearing distance.  She was definitely not impressed.

To keep being involved in rodeo, one of the stock suppliers brought horses to the farm so that Richard could try to break them.

Richard developed an early passion for politics, serving as the Youth President of the Social Credit Party.  He attended conferences and rubbed shoulders with many respected politicians such as Harry Strom, Social Credit Party and Ron Ghitter of the Progressive Conservative caucus. Sometimes he travelled to Ottawa to represent the Alberta contingent.

After high school Richard went to BC to work in a sawmill for a while and then returned to Alberta to be a livestock buyer for a couple years, traveling to auction sales in the area. 

Richard met Ruth at the Airdrie rodeo on July 1st when she was working for someone in the area.  It was a quick romance as they got married on the 26th of February the next year.  They made trips to Germany to spend time with her family and they sometimes came to visit them here.

Richard continued campaigning for various candidates for several years.  While working with Provincial candidate Roy Wilson, MLA, he was encouraged to get into selling Real Estate.  One project he volunteered on during that time was serving on a committee that developed the Stephen Avenue Mall.

In 1974 he started working for the Nu-West Group Ltd and was involved in the development of many communities in Calgary.  He would do the negotiations for the purchase of land proposed for future development.  One such area was in northwest Calgary along the west side of Sarcee Trail, from Bow Trail up to Crowchild.  At the time it was bare land, other than the home of the owners.  There was an unobstructed view of the valley to the west, all the way to the mountains. It was hard to imagine how they could sell such a beautiful property.

When Richard left Nu-West, he did independent development for a number of years.

In later years, Richard assisted Ruth in the flower shop, often delivering flowers to their many clients.  Everyone looked forward to his jovial presence while delivering the lovely arrangements.

Richard has one son, Rick, who lives in Calgary and does design/drafting work.  He in turn has two sons who are both married. 

Daniel and Shontana live out Cochrane way and they have two beautiful active kids.  Aurora loves to barrel race at local rodeos, atop her giant horse.  Gunner is trying to ride sheep. I think that is harder than most adults think.  How do you get any grip trying to wrap short legs around a woolly sheep?

Darius lives out in the Okanagan and recently got married to his long time love, Taylor. 

Richard’s passion in later years was children, dogs and cats.  His face would light up and he always wanted to say hello, asking them their name.  Dogs and cats always enjoyed a bit of his special tenderness. 

Richard was residing in Age Care Midnapore.  The family would like to thank the people there who took care of him, as well as the NW Bethany Calgary caregivers, where he also spent some time.

Richard will be missed by family and friends but we know he is in heaven, awaiting the arrival of those he loves.

 A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Park Church of Christ (11263 Oakfield Dr SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4:00 pm. 

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