Richard L. Hull, 84, Was Journalist, Antiquarian

Richard Lawrence Hull of West Tisbury died Monday, Jan. 23. He was 84.

He was the husband of Barbara (Bobby) Tyack Hull for 63 years. They were married on New Year's Eve in 1942. Together they were the proprietors of Hull's Antiques in West Tisbury, an up-Island landmark with its ladder back chair hung to a tree.

Richard was well known for his cloud of white hair and his friendly expertise. He had a wealth of knowledge on marine antiquities, primitives and Island decoys. He had a host of stories for the latter. His enthusiasm for life was evident in his conversations with all who came to the shop and to his friends with whom he fished and did business. He was a mentor to his grandchildren and the many family friends who sought his wise and non-judgmental advice.

Richard was born in Waterbury, Conn., on Jan. 5, 1922, the son of Daniel R. Hull and Margaret Leach. His parents owned the famous Captain Joshua Slocum House in West Tisbury, which is still in the family, now belonging to his niece.

Richard was graduated from Dartmouth College with the Class of 1944, although he did not graduate until September 1946 due to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps. He completed single engine pilot training, instructor training and B-29 engineer training and was honorably discharged a "well trained" officer and pilot in November 1945.

He was a journalist for the Waterbury Republican from 1946 to 1948 and for the Hartford Times from 1948 until 1955. Both are newspapers in Connecticut. Richard was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for a news story on the Worcester tornado in 1953.

In 1955, he joined the public relations and advertising staff of United Aircraft in Hartford. He became advertising director, then director of corporate identification when United Aircraft became United Technologies and retired for the first time in 1978.

After retirement he joined Combustion Engineering in Windsor, Conn., in corporate communications staff and then retired for the second time in 1984.

In 1984, he and Bobby moved to Martha's Vineyard as was their dream. Richard loved the environment and enjoyed watching the waterfowl and saltwater fishing at Lobsterville and Quansoo. He spent many happy hours near or on the water with his sons and good friend, Don Sexton. Richard was well loved for his quiet humor and his positive nature. He had many boyhood ties to the Island including Nelson Bryant of West Tisbury, whom he roomed with at Dartmouth College and who remained a good friend until the end.

Richard died at home with dignity and grace, surrounded by all his family. He was the heart and touchstone of his family and he served always as a loving husband to his most beloved wife, Bobby. He is also survived by his two sons, Richard Michael Hull and his wife, Hermine Smith Hull, and Daniel Jared Hull and his wife, B.Z. Riger Hull; his daughter, Cecily Bryant Thornley, and her husband, James, all of West Tisbury; two grandchildren, Joshua Bryant Hull and Charlotte Sanger Hull; a sister, Rose Frances Terril of San Jose; and nieces, Hannah Beecher of West Tisbury and Stephanie Haviland of Jacksonville, Fla., and nephew, Daniel Tyack Hull of Cambridge.

A private graveside service will be held at the family's discretion at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.