Obituary of V. Richard Hult

V. Richard "Dick" Hult, 83, of 152 Aldren Ave., Jamestown, passed away unexpectedly at 5:52 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, in the emergency room of W.C.A. Hospital of respiratory failure. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends he made throughout his long and productive life. A lifelong area resident, he was born July 12, 1931 in Jamestown, NY, the youngest son of the late Ernst and Berta Johansson Hult, who were immigrants from Smaland Sweden. Known to his many friends from the Jamestown High School Class of 1948 as "Richey" or "Dick", he continued to serve his class for the next 60 plus years as class treasurer. After high school he attended Jamestown Community College and the Graduate School of Audit and Control, Bank Administration Institute. Upon graduation from JHS, Richard joined the First National Bank as a messenger. In his 42 year career, he advanced through the various departments of installment loans, auditor, and Controller, before attaining his final title as Senior Vice President, Manager of Personal Banking for Chase Lincoln First Bank. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served his country from May 25, 1953 to May 7, 1955. Proud of his community, he was active in many service organizations for his entire life. Early in his life he participated in YMCA youth organizations and later served the Y's men service group. Dick was a current member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church of Jamestown and had previously been a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church for several decades serving on the church board as treasurer. He served the community as treasurer of the American Cancer Society for 21 years, was active as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America as Scout Master of Troop 65 at Bethel Lutheran Church and on the Board of Directors for the Alleghany Highlands Council, BSA. Dick was also a member of the National Association of Accountants. In recent years he was an active member of the Edgewood Senior Community Apartments at the Lutheran Complex. Many days his energy seemed boundless as he was seen digging in the vegetable gardens, watering flowers for others outside their homes, doing favors for his many friends, driving others to appointments and socializing with his many lifelong friends. Surviving are his loving wife and partner of 61 years, Joan Anderson Hult who he married December 21, 1953, a brother Carl Holt (age 93) of West Ellicott, a son Timothy D. (Christine Desrosier) Hult of Los Gatos, CA, two grandchildren, Stephen Shafer, Natalie A. Shafer, a son in law, Brett Shafer all of Jamestown, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews scattered from North to South and Coast to Coast. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy J. Shafer who died May 31, 2013, two brothers, Bert Holt, and Bertil Hult and by a sister, Gulvie J. Hult Lindberg. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Hillcrest Baptist Church. The Rev. Daniel Soderberg, visitation pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Frewsburg, NY. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Hillcrest Baptist Church, 40 Hallock St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to Lutheran Social Services Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701.