Richard T. Cliggott, founder of Cliggott Publishing Co. and a pioneer in the medical publishing world, died June 9 at his home in Greenwich, Conn. His wife, Janet, was at his side.

Born in Andover on April 14, 1928, Mr. Cliggott grew up in Cotuit on Cape Cod. As a young boy during the Depression, Mr. Cliggott helped support his family by working on farms doing everything from baling hay to exercising horses. Upon graduation from Barnstable High School, he joined the U.S. Army, serving two years in Korea and earning the rank of master sergeant.

After serving in the Army, he attended Worcester Academy, where he developed his abilities to achieve in both academics and athletics. Mr. Cliggott devoted his life to the school motto: Achieve the Honorable. He became driven to use his intellect, discipline and work ethic to become successful and make his family proud.

Worcester Academy led Mr. Cliggott to Cornell University on an academic scholarship. For his leadership, both in the classroom and on the athletic field, he was admitted into the Quill and Dagger Society. While at Cornell, Mr. Cliggott played varsity baseball and football. In 1953, he made Honorable Mention All-American in football. During his summer months Mr. Cliggott was a star player for the Cotuit Kettlers in the Cape Cod summer baseball league.

Mr. Cliggott graduated from Cornell in 1953 and worked for the university's development office. He left Cornell in 1955 and went to work for Procter & Gamble Co., where he received training in sales and management.

In 1959, Medical Economics of Oradell, N.J., hired him and introduced Mr. Cliggott to medical publishing. From 1970 to 1996, Mr. Cliggott developed Cliggott Publishing, one of the most admired and respected medical publishing companies. In 1996, Mr. Cliggott sold the company and retired.

Mr. Cliggott and his wife of 56 years, Janet, divided their time between their homes in Tequesta, Fla., and Greenwich, Conn. They visited their daughter Patricia Cliggott Kent and son in law Douglas Kent many times on the Vineyard.

Mr. Cliggott cherished his copies of the Vineyard Gazette and always wanted to be kept abreast of the news and activity on the Island. Mr. Cliggott loved the similarity between the beauty and lifestyle of the Vineyard with that of his childhood growing up on Cape Cod. He was always proud to wear his Red Sox cap and of course was given lots of support to do so on the Vineyard.

An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he loved golfing, boating, fishing, hunting and bird watching. Mr. Cliggott was a member of Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology and the Cornell Plantation. As president of Greenwich Country Club, he helped oversee the redesign of the golf course.

Mr. Cliggott was a true gentleman and a wonderful storyteller with a great sense of humor who cared deeply for those that were dear to him. Most of all, he was devoted to his wife, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; his children and their families, Nancy and Bill Hansen and their children Billy, Ricky and Joey; Dick Jr. and Monica Cliggott and their children Tommy and James; Michael and Holly Cliggott and their son Andrew; Patricia and Doug Kent; and Tim Cliggott. A private service will be held on Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Worcester Academy, Cornell University Plantations, or the Cornell University School of Ornithology.