Richard Hugh Beytes

Richard was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the first of four children of Deane and Beatrice Beytes. He graduated Wilton (New Hampshire) High School, then joined the Navy in 1965 during the Vietnam War as an Interior Communications Fireman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. During his time aboard, the ship recovered the Gemini IX and XII space missions. After his military service, Richard enjoyed a series of educational opportunities, including Palm Beach Junior College and the University of Florida, where he pursued theatre training and stage-set experience. His careers were varied as well, including chef, auto sales, electronics and security. He spent much time in the West Palm Beach and Boynton beach areas of Florida where his parents and siblings lived. Later in life, he and the family relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He retained close ties to friends in New Hampshire and enjoyed summering there whenever possible. Richard enjoyed shooting sport, and motor sports, and enjoyed nothing more than top-down driving in his prized Miata. He is survived by three siblings, Nancy Gratton of Chattanooga, Chris of South Elgin, Illinois, and Philip of North Augusta, South Carolina, as well as a daughter, Alicia Joe Karoll of Baltimore, Maryland, and numerous nephews and nieces.