Richard Thomas Leary ’54

Richard Thomas Leary ’54 passed away on March 11 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Dick came to Dartmouth from Medford, Massachusetts. He attended Medford Catholic High School and Vermont Academy. At Dartmouth Dick was a government major and a member of the hockey team. After graduation he received a master’s in public administration from Boston University. Dick then became the assistant to the city manager of Medford. In 1960 he moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, where he became executive secretary to the board of selectmen. In 1985 he was appointed Brookline’s first town administrator, a position he held until 1994. Dick then spent two years as the first Swampscott, Massachusetts, chief administrative officer, capping more than 40 years in public service. Dick was a master lecturer at Boston University’s Metropolitan College for 20 years, teaching courses in urban management and mentoring new generations of public servants. He was past president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, past director and board member of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Brookline Rotary Club. Dick’s wife, Lindy, and son Richard predeceased him. Dick is survived by daughters Susan, Linda and Elise.