Richard S. Pugh ’78

Dick died unexpectedly Oct. 7, 2019, of natural causes at his home in Columbia, Mo.

Dick (“The Captain”) came to Princeton from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, where he graduated at the top of his class and posted a perfect SAT score. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dick was a star receiver on the perennially powerful Central Catholic football team.

At Princeton, Dick played freshman football, majored in biology, and served as a class officer. The Captain managed the Pub, the Chancellor Green tavern and restaurant, which saved lives by eliminating the need for Route 1 road trips when we were on campus. Dick ran a tight ship as though he held an equity position. His close friend and roommate Tim Earley ’78 recalls his two-week stint as an employee: “Dick was kind enough to hire me and wise enough to fire me.”

His business success continued after graduation with an executive career in the group-insurance field with major-market players such as Prudential and Mutual of Omaha. Dick’s career took him to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, and finally Missouri. His stay in Michigan proved serendipitous as he met and married his next-door neighbor, Cyndi, in the Detroit suburb of Troy.

Dick’s life was celebrated with two events in Pennsylvania and Missouri. There were hundreds of attendees from across the country. Such was the scope of his reach.

Dick is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cyndi; daughters Brittany and Briana; mother Eleanor; and brothers Dale and Rob.

Farewell Captain — we wish you fair weather and offer this Irish toast: There are good ships, and there are wood ships/The ships that sail the sea/But the best ships are friendships/And may that always be.