Richard Ferguson

Richard Ferguson, 89, died on August 14, 2012, of complications from emergency aortic surgery performed on July 18. A Charlotte native, Dick was born on December 4, 1922, the youngest son of Robert Thrift Ferguson and Mary Steele Parrish Ferguson. Dick married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Catherine Fulwood Caldwell, on July 30, 1943.

Dick graduated from Central High School in 1939, and received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from VPI in 1943. After anti-aircraft artillery OCS at Camp Davis, NC, he went to the Army Electronics Training School at Harvard and MIT and became a radar specialist. He was stationed at Camp Haan, CA, Ft. Bliss, TX and Ft. Monroe, VA. In 1945, he was deployed with the occupation army with US Forces in Austria, and was discharged in 1946 as a captain.

Returning to Charlotte after the war, Dick worked for The Terrell Machine Co., rising from junior engineer to VP-Operations, where he invented and designed textile and sawmill machinery, with numerous patents to his name. After 30 years, Dick left Terrell in 1976 and began work as a Patent Agent with attorneys Richards, Shefter and Pinckney. He retired in 1981.

Dick was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder from 1963 to 1979. While serving as Elder, he was appointed Chairman of the Weekday School Committee to ensure that the school and church might serve as one in the coordination of the children’s ministry. Continuing his love for children’s ministry he gave of himself to Camp Whip-Poor-Will, serving as President of the Board, assisting in land searches, and later serving as the Camp’s benefactor for its present location in Weddington, NC.

He joined Charlotte Country Club in 1963, and was an avid tennis player. He was a past member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte and Charlotte Engineers Club and supported the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and WDAV Classical Public Radio. Dick delivered meals on wheels for Friendship Trays from 1990-2010.

A life-long love of the mountains led to a farmhouse in Valle Crucis in 1965, and later a house at Beech Mountain, where Dick and Catherine shared wonderful times with family and close friends. They also enjoyed time with family at Pawleys Island, SC. Their mutual love of travel led them on many trips through Europe, with a deep appreciation of art and music, and the beauty of the Alps. Dick’s interest in photography dates back to his boyhood, and he has left his family a true legacy of his life and interests depicted in his photographs.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Mary Steele Ferguson of Raphine, VA; his son, Kirk Ferguson of Hendersonville, NC and his children, Kirk, David and Mary Catherine; his son, John Ferguson and his wife Coleen of Vale NC, and his children, Anne and John Taylor; his daughter, Catherine Ferguson and her husband, Jay Sandusky, of Richmond VA, and their daughter, Lily; his brother-in-law, John C. Caldwell and his wife, Liz, of Mooresville, NC; and his nieces and nephews, Sherry Ferguson, David Ferguson, Tom Ferguson, Jody Bursley, Penelope Ferguson, David Caldwell, Mike Caldwell, and their families.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Catherine Caldwell Ferguson; his older brothers, Robert Thrift Ferguson, Jr. and Kirkpatrick Parrish Ferguson; and his nephew, Robert Thrift Ferguson, III. The family wishes to acknowledge the love and care of Dick’s friend and companion, the late Betty Sue Cisne.

We give hearty thanks to Dick’s long-time tennis buddies, who kept him young and fit until the very end. And our special love to our parents’ life-long circle of cherished friends, with whom they shared the glory days, the joys and sorrows, and all the richness that life has to offer.

A memorial service celebrating Dick’s life will be held at 3:30 pm on Saturday, September 15th in the Great Room at Southminster.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southminster Foundation, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, or to a charity or organization of your choice.