Richard Mark Hamecs

Richard Mark Hamecs, 72, of Washington, DC passed away on June 3, 2024, at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center. The proximate cause of death was respiratory failure and lung cancer, as well as multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The son of World War II veteran Peter Hamecs, who worked at the Van Heusen factory, and Helen (Pepsny) Hamecs, who worked in local retail stores, Richard Hamecs was born on June 9, 1951, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

He was a graduate of St. Gabriels High School and Penn State University, where he received a BS in urban development. He also received an MPA in urban affairs from American University and pursued a PhD in urban economics at the University of Delaware.

Rick worked as a financial economist at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a Senior Director for the Mortgage Bankers Association and as a vice president at Mortgage Banking Service Corp, where he was a pioneer in web-based mortgage origination systems. For the remainder of his career, until his 2008 retirement, he worked as principal of Lincoln Park Associates, an independent information technology and professional services firm.

He married Michelle “Chellie” (Campbell) Hamecs, October 11, 1992. In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Chellie and Rick recommitted themselves to their marriage in a vow renewal ceremony. Thirty-one years later, they both were never shy to say they married the “love of their life.”

On their wedding day Rick felt tingling in his toes and was diagnosed with MS and several herniated disks in February 1993. Rick used to joke that he literally had cold feet at his wedding. He was later diagnosed with COPD (2015) and lung cancer (2019). He also underwent several disk operations.

Not one to let his medical conditions define him, Rick began using a wheelchair and an electric scooter soon after his MS diagnosis. He had a marvelous sense of humor and quick wit. He would often use humor when referring to his medical maladies or to diffuse a tense conversation.

He had many talents including cooking, woodworking, flower arranging and Halloween pumpkin carving. He loved his and Chellie’s annual road trips to his wife’s family property in Como, Colorado. Rick was an avid fly fisherman and gardener. He loved fishing in the pond on Chellie’s family property or sitting by a Colorado stream. He also enjoyed tending to his giant impatiens, hydrangeas, and jade plants. Rick and Chellie were regulars at the Washington Nationals baseball games and were well known to attendees, ushers, and vendors.

During his retirement, he fostered a sense of community among his neighbors on the 100 block of 10th Street NE in Capitol Hill. He organized three neighborhood events each year that were a highlight of the community — two seasonal alley potlucks and the annual Progressive Dinner, hosted by families around the neighborhood every January. He would begin planning this in the spring, often roping in new neighbors to host a course at the dinner.

Rick’s ruby red scooter, distinctive collection of hats and a series of adorable cockapoos (Tosca, Sneakers and Ralphie) riding at his feet made him a fixture in the neighborhood for almost four decades. (He also had three cats.) He always kept a watchful eye on the neighborhood, critiquing neighbors’ parallel parking prowess and accepting packages for them when they were away. Rick and Chellie did not have children of their own, but they adopted the more than 20 children born on the block by hosting an annual Halloween pumpkin carving. Sadly, the pandemic brought an end to the event.

The pandemic sparked a new hobby for Rick, feeding peanuts to the squirrels that lived in the large oak tree in their backyard. He loved woodworking and made squirrel picnic tables for his furry-tailed friends. Unfortunately, the neighbors were not as fond of peanuts as the squirrels. He apologized for the bad behavior of his gray furry friends that were leaving peanut shells throughout the neighborhood, but he did not give up his squirrel feeding hobby.

His concern and love for the neighborhood earned him the moniker, “Mayor of (the 100 block) of 10th Street, NE”. As one neighbor said, “Rick loved to play the curmudgeon, but his kindness always gave away the game. He was warm and generous, playful, sardonic, and helpful.” His love for the community extended beyond his neighborhood to the Eastern Market and the whole of Capitol Hill. He was well-known at the Eastern Market for his effusive banter with the merchants, farmers, and tourists.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert J. Hamecs, the three cats (Pizzicato, Gusto and Allegro), and two cockapoos (Tosca and Sneakers). He is survived by his wife Chellie Hamecs, Goddaughter Haley Wynne, cousins Diane Andrasi, Janet Barkanic, Donna Campanella, and Denise Murphy and, Ralphie.

In lieu of flowers please consider a charitable donation to Rick’s church home, The Parish of St. Monica and St. James, 222 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Donations also may be made in Rick’s name to the National MS Society or World Central Kitchen.