Richard L Yett

Richard Lyon (Buddy) Yett, 86, of Manhattan, NY, passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2025. Born December 16, 1938 in Barre, VT, the youngest son of Samuel and Mollie Yett. He graduated from Spaulding High School, class of ’56, and attended the University of Vermont, class of ‘60.

He was athletic, with prowess as a fine skier and an avid squash and tennis player sporting a formidable spin serve. He was a member of UVM’s tennis team when they won the Yankee Conference Tennis Championship.

After college he joined the world of finance, first in Philadelphia and Boston, and then in New York finding success as a stock broker and analyst, where he formed life-long friendships. He spent most of his professional life at the boutique equity research and trading firm, Moness, Crespi, Hardt & Co.

Buddy was a very kind, caring, and thoughtful man with a big heart and a ready smile, especially if you indulged his sense of humor. He was the quintessential amiable neighbor, good Samaritan, and generous friend. And he was a family man, very devoted to his parents and two older brothers (Harris S. Yett of Boston, MA & Daniel J. Yett of Washington, D.C.).

Buddy did not have children of his own, or as he quipped, “none that I know of.” However, he was a natural with children and a wonderful and enthusiastic uncle to his many nephews and a niece who all adored him. Through the years “Uncle Buddy” doled out much appreciated life advice and wisdom and was a skilled sounding board with a caring, non-judgmental ear. An avid reader who traveled extensively around the globe, he took a keen interest in their lives, sharing endless good book and travel recommendations, and was a tireless supporter.

In 1996 he married Joan Fallon who he liked to say was out of his league. An inveterate bachelor, he said marrying her was by far the best decision he ever made. They enjoyed 28 years living in Manhattan and getaways to their waterfront vacation home in Peconic, Long Island. A skilled backgammon player, Buddy rarely turned down a game, never met a dog or cat he did not like, and was always willing to enjoy a highball and chat. He had a terrific sense of humor and loved a good joke, a bad joke even more, especially if it was salty. He was notorious for regularly distributing them among his colleagues at work, family and friends, and others he thought may enjoy them!

He will be deeply missed by his wife, his brother, his two sisters-in-law (Audrey Yett & Beverly Yett), his niece and nephews, and many friends and colleagues.