The Zoom-hosted ceremony yesterday gathered some 100 devoted friends. Social media came alive among family and friends in sending greetings and well wishes. Here are a few of the many comments on Zoom during the call.
Dick Whitcomb has been a stalwart and inspirational Carver volunteer, donor, advocate and board member for decades! Without question, Carver’s year after year growth and successful programming would not have been possible without Dick’s leadership in so many ways and times. As a celebrated athlete throughout his high school and college years, and as a coach for many sports at St. Luke’s School, it is most fitting that the Carver Board of Directors named the refurbished Carver Community Center gymnasium after Richard Whitcomb.
Since its opening in 1975, the Carver Community Center has served Norwalk through events and programs that build the mind, body, and spirit for all. The most vital space in the community center is the gymnasium where events ranging from basketball tournaments to career fairs and even memorial services have met the many needs of Norwalk youth and families.
This effort to deepen Carver’s impact in our community is a top priority and also a fitting opportunity to recognize the tremendous example and countless contributions Dick Whitcomb has made and is making to advance the Carver mission.
Dick Whitcomb did not just take up his career in education and sports to make a living. He did it because he could not imagine living any other way. That passion took Dick from Vermont to the pinnacle of his profession in Connecticut.
In 1961, Dick Whitcomb began preparing students for success in life at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan. In 1980, after serving as the school's athletic director and football coach, Dick was named Headmaster and was pivotal in the growth and stature of the school where he remains Headmaster Emeritus. In 2002, Dick retired and then founded a scholarship fund to enable economically challenged students, many from Norwalk, an opportunity to attend St. Luke’s School.
In late 2010, Dick founded the Richard and Barbara Whitcomb Foundation to extend his philanthropy to many others, especially to the Carver community. For many years, Dick’s unofficial office has been the conference room in the Carver Community Center. In addition to general operating support, Dick is especially committed to financially supporting Carver’s college scholarship fund.
Since his earliest years at St. Luke’s School, Dick and his students have been volunteering at Carver. In 2010, Dick formed Carver’s Strategic Planning Group, which brought many new resources and leaders to the Carver community. Dick also recruited the significant financial and in-kind support necessary to renovate the Carver Community Center’s exterior and classrooms, which had not benefited from such thoroughgoing renewal since the building’s construction in 1975.
Carver awarded Dick its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, Carver’s 75th anniversary year.
