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 Richard Delano Dodds, 85
 March 25, 2025
Born on the 29th of August 1939 in Plattsburgh NY, Richard Delano Dodds was one of the twin sons of Edward Barnes Dodds and Lois Ada Delano. Following his graduation from Chazy Central Rural School he earned a BA degree cum laude from Williams College, an A.M.T. Degree at Harvard University, and performed graduate work at Oxford University.
As an undergraduate student he taught at the former Williamstown High School returning after a stint at Harvard to teach at the newly opened Mount Greylock Regional High School. He retired from Mount Greylock in 1998 after 36 years in the English Department having served at various times as the 11th and 12th grade Team Leader, Advanced Placement teacher, and English Curriculum Coordinator. For over three decades he was Faculty Advisor to Gemini, the school literary and graphic arts magazine. He was twice elected Teacher of the Year by the senior class and received awards from Dartmouth and Bowden colleges, among others, for exceptional teaching. A life-long member of the National Education Association, he held several offices in the Mount Greylock Faculty Association, including two terms as president. In later years Richard was a member of the Williamstown Scholarship Fund Committee, to which donations may be made in his name.
In addition to his role as an educator, he served his community as president of the Williamstown Historical Association, as a Boy Scout Troop Committee member and as a member of the Second Congregational Church in South Williamstown, where he sang in the choir and served as a Deacon. He enjoyed drawing, traveling and fixing broken things, especially the ancient wooden boats in which he and his wife plied the waters of Lake Champlain.
Besides his wife, childhood sweetheart and lifelong companion Meg Dodds, he leaves two sons, Richard Delano Dodds, Jr of Needham, MA, and Matthew Nesbit Dodds of Williston, VT; his twin brother Robert Weeks Dodds of Plattsburgh, NY; five grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Funeral services for Richard Delano Dodds will take place on Tuesday April 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Second Congregational Church in South Williamstown. Burial will follow in Southlawn Cemetery.Memorial donations are suggested for the Town of Williamstown, 31 North Street, Williamstown, MA 01267, with Dick's name and Scholarship Fund in the memo line. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
| One of my favorite teachers and one of the very best! | | from: Brian Gill | on: 03-30-2025 |
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To Meg and family,
I’m sorry for your loss. That’s what one says, with heart felt intention, but that’s because we can’t find the words to express our deep feelings of loss mixed with the fond memories of this wonderful human being.
I was only at MGRHS for part of my senior year (1969), yet Mr. Dodds was my all time favorite teacher. No question. He asked us to think, to question assumptions, to challenge established norms. In doing so he changed my life for the better.
I became a teacher at 39 years of age. I taught gifted and talented students in Maine public schools for 30 years. I did my best to provide a safe place for students to wonder, question, and create. He was a huge inspiration for that.
My heart goes out to you.
Chris
| | from: Chris Newcomb | on: 03-30-2025 |
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| Mr. Dodds always told it straight and I loved that about him. In 12th grade English, he gave me some of the best advice of my life: "Kiernan," he said, "if you can be right, by all means, be right. But, if you can't be right, be funny!" This was after I submitted a couple of made up definitions (Balderdash style) on the weekly vocab quiz., for which he gave me partial credit. Just brilliant advice, which I have given to dozens of people since. Also, reading and discussing Grendel with him was a highlight of my senior year and turned me into someone who loves to read, well, for all the reasons. Thanks Mr. Dodds! Joe Kiernan, '93. | | from: Joe Kiernan | on: 03-30-2025 |
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| If one were to write a five-paragraph essay about Mr. Dodds, a supportable thesis might be "He was a talented and impactful teacher who helped his students become crisper writers, clearer thinkers, and better people." He was a gem. | | from: Jeff Young | on: 03-29-2025 |
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So sorry to Meg and the family for your loss.
As a student of Mr Dodds I found him to be genuinely interested in teaching at each students individual level. He encouraged each one to work towards the best they had to offer. Whether in the school corridors or from the church pews, his smile would greet those around him.
A wonderful role model will be laid to rest. Thoughts and prayers.
| | from: diane george | on: 03-29-2025 |
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| Meg and family I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr.Dodds was .y favorite teacher and he loved being a teacher.Rest in Peace ,you won't be forgotten. | | from: Cindy (Pecor ) Schneider | on: 03-29-2025 |
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Mr. Dodds taught me and my classmates how to read critically, write persuasively and with carefully chosen words, and most importantly to view literature as a window into the world beyond us and the human condition everywhere. And always with a mischievous, irreverent sense of humor to make sure no one took themselves too seriously.
We probably didn't understand the depth and impact of this at the time, but this understanding has only grown with each passing year. Condolences to the family, our classmate Matt especially, and with deep gratitude for a transformational teacher and mentor to thousands of Greylock grads. | | from: Pieter Mulder | on: 03-29-2025 |
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Mr. Dodds AP English sparked a (so far) life long love of books & reading. I’d never have gotten through Gulliver’s Travels never mind understanding it without his generous patience & flawless coaching.
My deepest sympathies to his family.
| | from: Linda Manning Arini | on: 03-29-2025 |
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Maggie, Richard ,Matthew, and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. We have fond memories of summers at Chazy. First, I remember fondly my childhood up at the lake with you and your family. Then, our kids still talk about the boat rides that we went with you. The pictures don't seem that long ago. My Mom thought the world of the two of you too. Sending our condolences.
Beth and Gary Brewster | | from: Beth Brewster | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| I was always so taken with his ebullience and enthusiasm in class. A wonderful and natural teacher. My sincere condolences to his family. | | from: Jennifer Dailey | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| What a wonderful teacher and exemplary human being! His was a life well lived. Rest in peace.?? | | from: MaryEllen Treadway | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| As a 1971 graduate of Mt. Greylock, the entire English department was outstanding, but Mr. Dodd was such an out exemplary teacher. So many of us came to love English and writing and went on to have teaching careers ourselves because of role models like Mr. Dodd. Such sympathies to his family. His influence will always be felt. | | from: Linda Barber Beaudreau | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| Meg, Sorry to hear of his passing. Kind & caring person. May he rest in peace. God bless him, you, & the entire family. | | from: Gary Dow | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| Our condolences to Meg and family. I was a student of Dick's at Mt. Greylock and Bill was his colleague there. Dick had a profound influence on me. He gave me such encouragement as a writer in high school. I remember doing a reading at the college vesper service and he was in the audience smiling up at me and it eased my nerves. He was the epitome of a wonderful teacher! | | from: Bill and Pat Girard | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| Without a doubt, one of the best teachers at Mount Greylock, I had him in my senior year. The guy was awesome. | | from: Erik Kristensen | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| It is very sad that we have lost such a great teacher and caring person. My condolences to all his family, friends and students. | | from: Carl Villanueva | on: 03-28-2025 |
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Mr. Dodds was the best teacher MGRHS ever had.
Rest peacefully, Mr. Dodds. | | from: Linda J Chesbro | on: 03-28-2025 |
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| Dick Dodds was one of my mentors, and my life has been much the better for knowing him during all four of my years at Mt. Greylock Regional High School. A dynamic teacher, a true humanist, and a splendid actor (he was the highlight of many an Edna Lunney-directed faculty play), he was one who truly made a difference to a fatherless student who sought a role model. | | from: Ralph Hammann | on: 03-28-2025 |
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Meg: I am so sorry for your loss. Dick will be missed by many.
Nancy Sylvester | | from: Nancy Sylvester | on: 03-27-2025 |
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He was one of my favorite teachers. I remember he had us do an essay during class. I got done, looked around, and every else was writing furiously. He came to my desk, took my paper, and said, " Just how I like it. Short and sweet! "
Thanks, Mr. Dodds. | | from: Cathy (Griffin) Tobin | on: 03-27-2025 |
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| A wonderful obituary and tribute to a talented educator. Condolences to family. | | from: Juliana Cuyler | on: 03-27-2025 |
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| I was a student in Mr. Dodds' AP English class in 1989. He was a gentleman and a scholar who inspired in me a lifelong love of writing and literature. I was a superfan. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Mr. Dodds | | from: Anne Carman May | on: 03-27-2025 |
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I really enjoyed having Mr. Dodds as my teacher. He encouraged all of his students to do their best and to read novels and opinions out of their comfort zone. My favorite personal story was in AP English. He would tease me daily about wearing white socks all the time. One day I came into class wearing one red sock and one blue sock. It made him laugh out loud. Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Dodds and his family and friends.
| | from: Al Austin | on: 03-27-2025 |
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I was a student in Mr. Dodds' AP English class in 1988-89. He was an original "gentleman and a scholar" who inspired a lifelong love of literature and writing. I was a super-fan. My condolences to his family.
| | from: Anne Carman May | on: 03-27-2025 |
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So sorry to learn this.our condolences to his family.
Tom and Judy Bleezarde | | from: | on: 03-27-2025 |
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| I was saddened to hear about Mr. Dodd's passing. I had him for two of my English classes at Mt. Greylock High school. He was tough but extremely fair. My thoughts and well wishes to the Dodds family. | | from: Jim "Cricket" Wondoloski, Jr. | on: 03-27-2025 |
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| I am saddened by the loss of a dear and well loved educator from MGRHS . I was honored to have taken his creative writing class at Greylock. I think it was a benefit for both because he lived and taught with vigor and I think left an impression on every student. I also had an advantage of being a creative person and it paid off when I got a well deserved A and memorable experiences that MR DODDS could only create GOD SPEED | | from: Wayne A Estes | on: 03-27-2025 |
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A life well lived. Best wishes to his family.
From a Mt. Greylock graduate of 1971. | | from: Stella van Renesse | on: 03-27-2025 |
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