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Richard H. Wyckoff: June 6, 1916 - March 26, 2012

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Richard H. Wyckoff died March 26, 2012, in Clearwater, FL, at the age of 95. Mr. Wyckoff was born in Bayonne, NJ and grew up in North Plainfield, NJ. He attended Bucknell University and then NYU while working full time as a New York Stock Exchange page and marketing support staff for the Standard Oil Company to support his then-widowed mother. In early 1941 he was selected to join the fledging sales force of IBM’s Electric Writing Machines Division, where he enthusiastically embraced the high standards demanded of all IBM employees. That was the start of a long, proud career with IBM in sales, marketing and management, interrupted only by World War II, when Mr. Wyckoff served in theU.S. Army in Europe.

After retiring from IBM, Mr. Wyckoff sold commercial real estate in Southern California, which had become “home” after many moves with IBM. He particularly enjoyed returning to his roots in sales and the camaraderie of his youthful team. He and wife Nancy were actively involved in church and the La Canada community where they lived and had many friends. All were devastated by Nancy’s sudden death in early 1981.

He later married Roberta Perry and moved to Florida, where Mr. Wyckoff enjoyed playing tennis and golf and volunteering to sing at retirement homes and prepare tax returns for people needing assistance. He was a loyal friend and devoted husband and father throughout his life, which he lived with honor and quiet dignity until the end. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. Wyckoff is survived by his wife, Roberta, his four children – Judith Wyckoff Heagstedt of Princeton, NJ, Elizabeth Wyckoff Benz of Manhattan Beach, CA, Richard H. Wyckoff, Jr., of Carpinteria, CA, and Peter J. Wyckoff of Sunland, CA – nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family will gather in Glendale, California, for a service of remembrance and gratitude on June 25, 2012.

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