Richard John Wiedenbeck

West Point, 1968

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Steve Wiedenbeck on September 14, 2009:

Wiedenbeck, Richard J. (Dick) was born July 6, 1946, in Orlando, Florida. He grew up in Winter Garden, attending Winter Garden Elementary School, Dillard Street Elementary School, and Lakeview Jr.-Sr. High School. He transferred to Evans in the tenth grade, where his father Ted Wiedenbeck, had been named principal. At Evans he was an outstanding athlete in football and basketball, an Honor Society member and the 1964 Senior Class President. Dick received an appointment to the United States Military Academy by then Congressman Edward Gurney. He went on to graduate from West Point in 1968, and served in the U.S. Army for five years, obtaining the rank of Captain. He was a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran. Dick continued his education at Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business where he received his MBA in 1975. He then joined the Walt Disney World team in 1976, and advanced to Vice President of Utility Operations in 1992, which included the Reedy Creek Energy Services Division. Dick retired from Disney in 2000 after 25 years of service. In his last years at Disney, Dick learned he had acquired a rare form of Pancreatic Cancer. After an eleven-year battle, he succumbed to the disease on September 6, 2009. Dick spent his early years in Winter Garden. He participated in Little League baseball, and enjoyed most summers at the Winter Garden pool, where his father taught swimming lessons. He attended the First Methodist Church, where his mother was active in many roles. He was fascinated by the trains that ran through the town every day. That love culminated in a project he directed for Disney that installed the WEDway People Mover in the Houston Airport as a commercial application. After retirement from Disney in 2000, Dick formed his own consulting company. He worked directly for Augusta National Golf Course as they planned out their future expansion and course modifications. Dick was instrumental in managing the architectural and engineering consultants involved in the planning and design of the expanded facilities. His company also researched the existing operations during the Masters Tournament and made recommendations to the management team to enhance the guest experience. He was extremely proud of his work with the Club and the friendships he generated with the staff at Augusta National. Dick is survived by his wife of 32 years, Betsy, children Kelly Wiedenbeck, Kari Wiedenbeck, Kristin Wiedenbeck Fletcher (Terry) and Glenn Wiedenbeck and grandchildren Jonathon and David Wiedenbeck. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy Connors (Hank) and a brother, Steve Wiedenbeck (Anne). Nieces and nephews include: Brynna Connors, Stephanie McFall (Dan), Kurt Wiedenbeck, Greg Wiedenbeck. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Marian and Ted Wiedenbeck, both educators for many years in Orange County schools. A memorial service is planned for Dick on September 19, 2009, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Luke's Methodist Church, located at 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Fl. 32819. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities in Dick Wiedenbeck's name: West Point Association of Graduates, West Point Fund, Class of 1968 Fund at 698 Mills Road, West Point, New York 10096; or St. Luke's United Methodist Church at the above address.

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