Richard (Dick) James Montgomery, a resident of Darien, Connecticut for 52 years, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was 96.
Richard (“Dick”) Montgomery, 96, passed away on Aug. 17. His family is holding a private celebration of his life.
Dick, the second son of the late William and Frances Montgomery, was born on April 5, 1929, in the city of Palembang on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, while his father was stationed there.
Dick spent the first 11 years of his childhood in Sumatra, sailing back to the U.S. when the Japanese began expanding into Pacific territories. After his family’s return, Dick graduated from DeVeaux School in Niagara Falls. Dick later earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University, where he was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity, graduating in 1952.
Following college, Dick served in the Air Force at various U.S. bases during the Korean War and later went on to work for Mobil Oil. He met his late wife, Janet Brendel, on a beach in New Jersey, marrying her in February 1959, and they raised three children, living as a family in Stamford, then in England, Italy and finally Darien.
After retiring from Mobil in the mid-1980s, Dick remained active with golf, curling, Darien Community Association meetings, and Mobil’s retirement community. He also attended dozens of Cornell alumni reunions over 50 years and went on many global family scuba diving adventures.
Over the final 17 years of his life, Jan and Dick were looked after by their beloved home aide, Mimi Osei, who provided them with daily care and support.
Dick is survived by his three children: Rick and Susan G. Montgomery of Decatur, Georgia; Scott and Sarah G. Montgomery of Carmel, New York; and Susan Kammler of New Canaan,. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Lucas Montgomery, Matthew Montgomery, Joshua Montgomery, Austin Kammler, Cole Kammler and Jessica Montgomery.
In addition, Dick is survived by a sister, Carolyn Montgomery of Sarasota, Florida, and predeceased by his brother, Bill Montgomery of Sacramento, California, and his sister, Ginny McClain of Dallas. The family will be observing a private celebration of Dick’s life.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left