Ballston Lake ,  NY | 518-399-5022

Offering You Service and Choices Beyond Your Expectations.

Bom-Wrapper

Richard O'Rourke
In Memory of
Richard Hugh "Dick"
O'Rourke
2020
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Leave a condolence

Condolences

Condolence From: corinne Weeks
Condolence: Thinking of the wonderful contributions he made to education...
Saturday March 13, 2021
Condolence From: Stu Horn
Condolence: He was one of the good guys.

Dick was an educator first, last, and always. It didn’t matter whether he was a student, teacher, principal, or a school superintendent, he loved learning and teaching for its own rewards.

Imagine if you will a shop steward in the Detroit Teachers Union becoming a Superintendent of Schools in Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in upstate New York. Imagine if you will a Detroit Red Wings fan and a New York Rangers’ devotee coming together on anything, but we did and frequently often.

When we both bought in on shared decision making, Dick said that he would “share it” and “teachers could do it.” I was a believer in “Site Based Management and Shared Decision Making” (Sh Boom, S Doom!). We had a lot of laughs about that one.

Dick honored his daughters, Bob Van Vranken, and me by requesting that we speak at a memorial in Union College for his beloved wife Arlette at her untimely passing. It was the hardest address I ever to had to give because I wanted to be good for her and him.

Kay, our kids, and I were along on a trip to England and France where he met Barbara Wildzunas, the second Mrs. O’Rourke. “He was just coming along for ride,” he said. He didn’t want me to do the Times crossword with Barbara because he wanted her all to himself!

I got to really know him 1977 when I became union president, and we were wary of each other to say the least because I was “Danny the Red” to him and he was the “Country Superintendent” to me. Out of that wariness grew grudging respect, respect, a liking for one another, friendship, and even love.

I was better by knowing him and because of him. After Dick’s retirement we would get together for lunch about six times a year. We would talk about anything and everything—“war” stories of course, the state of education both locally and in the entire world, politics and public policy, the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Lions, and the world at large and the world at small. I always left these luncheons buoyed up because his rational, compassionate, and humane views on things were what I needed to hear.

He was one of the real good guys.
Friday March 27, 2020
Condolence From: Chuck Riedel
Condolence: So sorry to hear of your loss. Dick was a very special person
Friday March 27, 2020
Condolence From: Richard Umholtz
Condolence: Expressing my condolences on your loss. You are in my prayers.
Richard Umholtz
Friday March 27, 2020
Condolence From: corinne weeks
Condolence: My daughter and I remember with gratitude the generosity and kindness shown to our family when my husband, a young teacher at Burnt HIlls passed away several years ago. Dr. O'Rourke was supportive, helpful and incredibly thoughtful through that most difficult time, and we have been very grateful for knowing him and experiencing his sympathetic understanding and guidance at a time when it was most needed. He was a remarkably memorable person.
Wednesday March 25, 2020
Condolence From: Steve Constantino
Condolence: There are few words I can muster that can adequately capture my thoughts at this moment. Certainly, I am devastated by the loss of Dick. My first foray into the world of leadership was because Dick O'Rourke hired me and gave me a chance. His ability to lead, to build relationships, to resolve issues, was simply unmatched. His vast knowledge was tempered by his deep humility and marvelous sense of humor. Every time I had the opportunity to speak with him or listen to him, I learned something and until this day, I continue to quote him and apply those lessons I learned under his leadership. He was also way ahead of his time. I can remember him describing the future of education, with school choice being central to the reshaping of our business. He was intelligent, compassionate, warm and genuine, but he was also hilarious. I bet everyone who has ever been touched by Dick O'Rourke, will smile recalling one of his lines or quips that usually cracked everyone up. He could take a 30 minute meeting agenda and turn it into the best three hour leadership development one ever experienced. In the years since leaving Burnt Hills, I kept in touch with Dick...we exchanged emails periodically and even as he aged...his wit (Thank God for your wife's intelligence, Steve!) and wisdom were still very evident. To Dick's entire family, you are in my prayers but also, thank you for sharing this incredible man with all of us. We are all better for it.
Monday March 23, 2020
Condolence From: Lisa Lamborn
Condolence: I just met you and it blew me away that you were The “ Mr Orourke”. I work at Ellis Mohawk Harbor and you were there for something! You were so quiet until I asked if you were the man..the man who’s school I attended! That perked you up and I got a huge smile! RIP you are a great man and will be missed a lot! Until we meet again! xoxo
Monday March 23, 2020
Condolence From: Jeanne Sawyer
Condolence: Dr. O’Rourke. - first superintendent I ever had, one of the best administrators I ever had the pleasure of working for/with. Because with him it was more ‘with’ than ‘for’. Cared for his students, faculty and staff. Always there when we needed him. We had many conversations over the years he was my superintendent, his door was always open. Most of those reading this will not understand, but his favorite quote he said to me was “Jeanne, I heard stripper and I heard birthday and there was no NEED to look at the personnel records!” A gentleman always, a gift to our community. May you Rest In Peace. And to his daughter whom I don’t know but who he said I reminded him of - you were blessed with a wonderful father.
Sunday March 22, 2020
Share by: