Editor’s Note: While Dick was never in AAVS but a lot of our people worked with him when he was at AFRC/PA.
Richard Schuyler George
Macon, Georgia- Richard Schuyler (Dick) George: 13 Nov. 1932 – 8 Mar. 2016, died after a lengthy period of decline. He was born in Atlanta, the son of the late John Palmer George and Gladys Schuyler George. He graduated from Lanier Junior and Senior high schools in Macon, Georgia where he was editor of the school newspapers. George graduated from Northwestern University in 1955 with a degree in communications and was inducted into the national honorary professional advertising fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma.His civilian career included executive positions in the nationwide Air Force Reserve Command Office of Public Affairs at Robins AFB Ga., where he retired in 1989. He was also an Air Force Reservist who served in key public affairs posts, including the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in the Pentagon and Strategic Air Command headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebr. He retired as a colonel in 1985 and was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Colonel George was founder and chair of the Air Force Academy Public Affairs Advisory Council and was an Academy Silver Falcon. George served on the board of directors of the Museum of Arts & Science and Friends of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail in Macon. He was Bibb County’s first Lifetime Master Gardener Emeritus and was past president of the Master Gardeners of Central Georgia. In 2001 George received the first annual award for horticultural achievement from the Waddell Barnes Botanical Garden at Macon State College.
George backpacked more than two thirds of the Appalachian Trail. He and his sons built and donated an official trail shelter, Dick¹s Dome George¹s Geodesic, on their Virginia property which is now in the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. George served as a national director of the U.S. branch of Servas, a global, person-to-person network which fosters understanding of cultural diversity. A hobby printer and journalist, in 1989 George served as the 113th president of National Amateur Press Association (founded in 1876).
He and his wife Mary hosted exchange students for 11 consecutive years. A lifetime ardent traveler, George visited more than 50 countries, many in depth. Following his retirement, they rented their house and traveled globally for more than three years. In 2014 he donated 13 acres of the George family estate, including the acclaimed Quinta del Sol Gardens, to the Ocmulgee Land Trust.
He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Eugenia Russell, twin sons, Richard Philip Schuyler George (Sara), Sebastopol, Calif. and Josiah Everett Flournoy George, Macon, Ga.; a brother, John P. George Jr., Gainesville, Ga.; three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
No service is planned at this time. Those wishing to make donations may choose High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, P.O. Box 4566, Macon, 31201, or Junior Master Gardener Program, Bibb Co. Extension Office, 145 First Street, Macon, 31201.
Bridges Funeral Home and Crematory in Gray was in charge of arrangements. Please visit the online memorial at: www.bridgesofgray.com. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/macon/obituary.aspx?n=richard-schuyler-george&pid=177984859&fhid=5584&eid=sp_shareobit#sthash.uuNwq9dr.dpuf