Richard E. Briggs ’60

Born in Amesbury, Mass., Dick graduated from Amesbury High School. At Princeton he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC, majored in politics, and joined Cannon Club. He displayed entrepreneurial determination as director of the Student Grinder, Beer Keg, and Diamond Ring agencies. After graduation he studied for a year as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at the Harvard School of Arts and Sciences.

Dick joined the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1961 and served as executive assistant to a succession of agency directors until 1969, with a short interlude in late 1964 to serve in the New Jersey and presidential elections of that year. He joined the Association of American Railroads in 1970, rose to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1979, and held that position until his retirement in 1994. He also chaired the Global Climate Coalition in 1994 and 1995.

Always a competitive golfer, he became a devoted fisherman as well, renowned as a “fish whisperer” in Lake Champlain circles. His health deteriorated in later years. A succession of strokes, cancer, and hypertension finally led to his death Dec. 8, 2019.

Dick married three times. He is survived by his son, three stepdaughters and their families, and three grandchildren.