Col. Richard A. Fink

Richard A. Fink of Sarasota, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in Sarasota. He and his wife, Claire, were residents of Scotch Plains, N.J., for over 30 years.

Mr. Fink was born in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., on October 21, 1929. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1951, at which he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the track team. He worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance for 32 years as a Group Insurance Account Sales Executive.

Upon retirement, he moved with his wife to Sarasota, where he was a resident for 35 years. Colonel Fink was an active member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key and an avid golfer and tennis player, playing tennis into his 88th year. He and his wife traveled extensively during their retirement years.

Following graduation from the University of Vermont and ROTC, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in combat as an infantry rifle platoon leader in the Korean War on Heartbreak Ridge with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Following the war, he became a member of the active U.S. Army Reserves, ultimately becoming a full Colonel commanding the 2nd Brigade, 78th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, N.J. active reserves. He retired after 30 years of combined active army and active reserve duty. He was decorated with many service medals and attended several senior reserve officer schools during his military career. His devoted wife, Claire, of nearly 69 years, predeceased him earlier this year. He leaves a daughter, Susan Hillel (Pavel) of Osprey, Fla.; a son, Donald (Melanie) of Wolfeboro, N.H.; a daughter, Linda Campbell (Edmund) of Treasure Island, Fla., and grandsons Daniel and David (Gina) Michalak of New Jersey.

His funeral service will be held today, Thursday, November 14, with burial at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

November 14, 2024