Richard James Atwood

January 12, 1941 — July 18, 2019

Richard James "Tweety" Atwood, 78, a resident of Bennington, died at home on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Richard was born in Bennington on Jan. 12, 1941 to Forrest and Florence (Mould) Atwood. A childhood battle with meningitis left Richard with permanent damage to his legs. While his doctor predicted that he would never walk again, Richard defied the odds and went to become an enthusiastic outdoors man. His interests were diverse and included hunting, fishing rappelling, caving, dowsing, bird watching, collecting ginseng, photography, and so much more. He was an avid reader of both fact and fiction and, for his own pleasure, studied many topics such as history, geology, astronomy, and various cultures. He was a trekkie, who attended Star Trek conventions and a Tolkienist, who often wrote letters to friends of family in dwarvish runes. He was a self-taught naturalist and botanist. Richard took special pleasure in passing along his knowledge to others. His appreciation of music may have been as diverse as his other interests, but he had a particular affinity for Irish folk music. Richard was eccentric and witty, extremely bright, a great story teller and an empathetic, kind and loving man. He has touched the lives of many persons of all ages, and he will be deeply missed.
Richard is survived by his daughter Tessa M. Atwood of Wilmington, VT, her husband, Gary F. King and their children: Sawyer and Garrison King, as well as his nephew James Atwood of Hoosick Falls, NY and a niece, Susan Freeman of Shaftsbury and their families. He is predeceased in death by his parents and his brother David F. Atwood.
A celebration of his life will be held on August 24, 2019 at 11:00 AM for family and friends at 571 Glastenview Drive in Shaftsbury, VT.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201 to assist the family during this time. Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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Richard James Atwood

January 12, 1941 — July 18, 2019

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