Richard Thieke

After graduation from Davis High, I spent the next four years in Washington, DC where I attended The American University, graduating in 1961 with a BS in Business Administration. During that time I did some work on Capitol Hill for several senators and congressmen. Deciding I did not want to do that for a career, I returned to New York after graduation. I then started graduate school until entering the army for six months active duty. After that I went back to NYU at night to complete my MBA focusing on finance and investments. I began working in 1963 in the investment management area of Marine Midland Bank. My main focus was employee benefit plans. Over the years I rose in rank to vice president. In 1981 I joined Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in a similar capacity. I joined Bankers Trust Company in 1986 in private banking which also included their not-for-profit and foreign clients. These groups, along with ultra-high net worth domestic clients were my areas of focus. Bankers Trust was acquired by Deutsch Bank so it was my “official” final employer. I retired year-end 2004 as a managing director. Much of the enjoyment of my career was dealing with the clients, many of whom became friends that we still see. Through our visits to them, we have seen much of the US as well as good portions of Europe. Now in retirement, we hope to get to see the rest of the world. I led a bachelor’s life in Manhattan until 1970, when I married my wife, Lee. In 1972 we moved to Norwalk, CT where we stayed until 2005. During this time we had two children. Our son Chris lives in Brooklyn and works for a public relations firm in NYC, Our daughter Courtney lives in Derby, CT and is a veterinary technician. Before retiring, we had our weekend house in Charlestown, RI redone and expanded and are enjoying a happy retirement here. At this point I am on the Town Conservation Commission, Property Advisory Committee Chairman and a director of the South County Conservancy. I still get to Manhattan frequently as I am a director of the Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts and trustee of some trusts for members of a prominent NY family. I still remember fondly my years in Mount Vernon and at Davis. That is where my love of classical music and opera began and still continues, although visits to the Metropolitan Opera, concerts and theatre are now limited by distance.